What happens when a village becomes the tour guide, not just the tourist destination?
Across rural Nigeria, that question is being answered. Local communities are beginning to open their homes, share their culture, and turn everyday life into something tourists are eager to experience. These changes are driven by community-based tourism (CBT) projects that are reshaping how tourism works in Nigeria.
Instead of watching culture from a distance, tourists now sit in the middle—learning to weave mats, cook local dishes, and join in village festivals. While visitors take home unforgettable memories, locals gain income, pride, and greater control over how their stories are told.
In this article, we go beyond the usual. We’ll look at how these projects empower communities, where they work best, and how you, as a traveller, can support them.
What Is Community-Based Tourism and Why Does It Matter in Nigeria?
Community-based tourism (CBT) is a form of tourism where local communities organise and manage the experience. It’s grassroots-led, meaning the people who live there benefit directly from hosting travellers. They act as guides, homestay hosts, artisans, cooks, and organisers.
In Nigeria, where rural regions are culturally rich but economically marginalised, CBT helps turn local traditions into real opportunity. Communities get to decide how their land and heritage are shared, while earning income and preserving their identity.
Whether it’s watching a masked festival in Kaduna or paddling through mangroves in Opobo, CBT experiences are immersive, locally run, and purpose-driven.
How CBT Projects Empower Local People and Create Real Jobs
One of the most powerful aspects of community-based tourism is its ability to create jobs and build skills where they are needed most. Unlike large-scale resorts, where profits often leave the region, CBT ensures that income circulates within the community.
CBT projects help to:
- Create jobs: From tour guides and cooks to transport providers and craft vendors, CBT provides both direct and indirect employment opportunities.
- Preserve culture: By turning local traditions into tourist attractions, CBT encourages the younger generation to learn their history, songs, dances, and dialects.
- Protect natural spaces: Communities gain incentives to conserve forests, rivers, hills, and farmland when these places generate tourism revenue.
This tourism model doesn’t just generate income—it builds pride, stewardship, and cultural revival.
Examples of Community-Based Tourism Projects in Nigeria
1. Ekiti State – Ikogosi Warm Springs and Destination 2030
In Ekiti State, the Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs are being revitalised as part of Destination Ekiti 2030. Local residents are being trained and employed as tour guides, homestay hosts, food vendors, and maintenance staff.
With better roads and renewed investment, this CBT project is helping locals gain from tourism, while giving visitors more personal, immersive experiences.
2. Imo State – Umuagbom’s Cultural Revival
In Umuagbom village, the once-private Eyiri-Eyi New Yam Festival is now a public cultural showcase. Tourists attend traditional dances, enjoy local cuisine, and interact with village elders.
Women operate food stalls, musicians perform folk songs, and youths act as storytellers. The entire community benefits economically while keeping heritage alive.
3. Rivers State – Opobo, Nkoro, and Andoni Ecotourism
In Rivers State, the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) is supporting coastal ecotourism in Opobo-Nkoro and Andoni. These initiatives train locals in low-impact tourism and promote village-run activities like canoe tours, birdwatching, and cultural experiences.
The result? Rich, community-led tourism that prioritises conservation and inclusion.
4. Akwa Ibom – Tourism in All 31 LGAs
Akwa Ibom State is planning to empower every local government area with its community-based tourism initiative. In 2025, the state requested ₦5 billion in funding for local tourism—not for resorts, but for grassroots programmes.
Youth are being trained to develop heritage trails, organise homestays, and create cultural experiences across the state, spotlighting local heritage and creating jobs.
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The Barriers Still Holding CBT Back
Despite the momentum, CBT projects in Nigeria face significant challenges:
- Low awareness: Many travellers—both local and international—don’t know these experiences exist.
- Lack of infrastructure: Poor roads, limited electricity, and weak digital access make it hard for some communities to host guests.
- Policy gaps: Without formal frameworks and protection, communities risk being exploited or displaced when tourism grows.
- Limited funding: Most communities rely on donor support or personal funds. This slows growth and makes projects fragile.
Addressing these gaps is key to unlocking CBT’s full potential.
How Travellers Can Support Community-Based Tourism
If you want your trip to do more than entertain, CBT is the answer. Here’s how to make your travels meaningful:
- Book directly with local guides or cooperatives
- Stay in homestays or community-run lodges
- Buy handmade crafts instead of mass-produced souvenirs
- Eat local food and visit community markets
- Ask about how your money supports the community
- Tag the village or community when you share your trip online
Even small decisions—like choosing local over foreign—can transform lives.
Conclusion: Tourism That Builds, Not Breaks
Community-based tourism proves that travel can be empowering—not extractive. In Nigeria, CBT projects are rewriting the story, offering real work, deep pride, and a fresh way to protect culture and nature.
So when you plan your next trip, don’t just ask what you’ll see. Ask what your visit will mean. Book local. Listen deeply. Travel with purpose.
Because the future of tourism isn’t about where we go—but who grows from it.
Explore more eco-tourism adventures in Nigeria over at our dedicated section on sustainable travel experiences , and follow us for more insights on Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions About Community-Based Tourism
What is a community-based tourism project?
It is a tourism model where local people manage and benefit from travel experiences in their communities.
How do I find verified CBT experiences in Nigeria?
Look for operators endorsed by Tourism Nigeria, state tourism boards, or organisations like the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
Is CBT expensive?
No. Most CBT tours are affordable, and the cost goes directly to hosts and local organisers—not middlemen.
How do I know if a CBT experience is legitimate?
Check if the operators are local, if the activities are culturally respectful, and whether part of the proceeds go toward community development.