Nigerian Tourism Icons Honoured in Lagos as ANJET Awards Spotlight Africa’s Economic Promise

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Leading figures in Nigeria’s tourism and culture sector recently received well-deserved acclaim at a lively awards gala in Lagos. The ceremony, hosted at the iconic Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers, was spearheaded by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), the premier organisation representing the country’s travel media. 

At the heart of this year’s honours was Otunba Segun Runsewe, the erstwhile Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA). Runsewe received the esteemed Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism award, a tribute to his unwavering dedication to elevating and promoting Nigerian tourism on national and global stages. He stood alongside an elite cadre of awardees, including former Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, and trailblazers from government and private enterprises, all commended for their instrumental efforts in advancing Nigeria’s tourism.

According to Travel News Africa, the roster of other distinguished recipients included Otunba Wanle Akinboboye (recognised as the Foremost National Tourism Builder and Creative Mind), Mr. Jemi Alade (celebrated as the National Trailblazer in Inbound Tour Operation), Engineer Tarzan Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (honoured as the National Icon in Tourist Boat Operations and Water Transportation), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (acknowledged as the Icon of Consistency and Resilience in National Tourism Leadership), and Chief Abimbola Bode-Thomas (lauded as the Hospitality and Tourism Management Amazon).

In his address at the event, ANJET President Okorie Uguru articulated the deeper purpose of the awards. He stressed that the accolades extend beyond those in active roles, especially to honour veterans whose foundational work has paved the way for contemporary successes in the field. “This is about cultivating an ethos of dedication and expressing gratitude towards those who have excelled in service, while inspiring current leaders to aim even higher,” Uguru explained. 

During his heartfelt acceptance speech, Otunba Segun Runsewe delivered forthright observations on the prevailing conditions in Nigeria and, by implication, African tourism. He decried the ongoing disconnect between lofty discussions and tangible implementation, noting that, despite endless forums on tourism’s promise, real progress lags. 

“Tourism is plagued by too much rhetoric and too little follow-through,” he asserted. “We indulge in grandiloquent language and then retreat without change. Personally, I’m weary of mere words, as action remains elusive.” These sentiments echo the frustrations of countless professionals throughout Africa, who grapple with bureaucratic stagnation and the squandering of tourism’s vast economic prospects.

Runsewe also shone a light on the underappreciated realm of religious tourism, sharing anecdotes of how the late Pastor T.B. Joshua’s ministry drew global pilgrims, with private jets converging on Nigeria for spiritual gatherings. “Religious tourism thrives in Nigeria, yet we’ve barely scratched its surface,” he emphasised, underscoring the missed chances to institutionalise and monetise this vibrant niche. This insight holds significant potential for African nations with diverse religious traditions and profound spiritual legacies, offering opportunities for innovative tourism models that extend beyond traditional leisure and corporate travel.

He went on to argue that effective tourism management in Nigeria could slash unemployment rates, given the sector’s inherent labour demands. “Following agriculture, tourism stands as the largest job creator, but we’re still mired in distractions and self-deception,” he observed. 

The gala further highlighted the merit of acknowledging accomplishments while individuals are still alive, nurturing an environment of appreciation and motivation within the industry. Runsewe expressed profound gratitude to ANJET for the tribute and encouraged the group to continue chronicling the sector’s evolution and championing superior standards. “Only the living can truly be honoured. We should praise God for this recognition in our lifetimes—it’s a privilege not afforded to all,” he reflected, highlighting how prompt recognition fuels ongoing commitment among stakeholders.

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Nigeria’s tourism sector in 2025 is in a transitional phase, marked by promising growth amid persistent challenges that highlight its largely untapped potential. As of this year, the industry is projected to generate approximately US$3.45 billion in revenue, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 10.07% over the coming years, driven by cultural heritage, business opportunities, and emerging trends in diaspora tourism.

In the first half of 2025, Nigeria, alongside other African nations, recorded a 12% increase in tourism growth compared to the previous year, reflecting a rebound in international arrivals. Harnessing tourism’s full potential could profoundly transform Nigeria’s and Africa’s economies, particularly in addressing unemployment, fostering diversification, and driving sustainable growth. In Nigeria, tourism is the second-largest employer after agriculture, with the potential to create millions of jobs in labour-intensive sectors such as hospitality, guiding, and transportation—if properly developed.

Effective management could dramatically reduce unemployment by leveraging untapped niches, like religious tourism, which already contributes to revenue and cultural exchange but remains informal; formalising it could mirror Saudi Arabia’s $12 billion annual haul from similar activities, boosting Nigeria’s GDP and non-oil revenues. 

Broader impacts include economic diversification away from oil dependency, community empowerment through ecotourism and cultural tourism, and increased foreign exchange from international visitors. 

For Africa as a whole, tourism significantly bolsters GDP and generates millions of jobs, with sector revenue aiding sustainable development; studies show it positively influences economic growth, though this effect is moderated by infrastructure and climate factors. 

In Sub-Saharan contexts, it promotes job creation and reduces poverty. Still, challenges such as policy inertia must be overcome to unlock benefits, as seen in Nigeria’s potential for religious and diaspora tourism, which could enhance regional collaboration and position Africa as a global powerhouse.

Overall, strategic investments could elevate tourism’s contribution from under 4% in Nigeria to levels rivalling top African performers, fostering resilience and inclusive prosperity.

Dive deeper into Africa’s evolving tourism landscape—explore more insightful stories and analyses on our site to stay ahead of the trends shaping the continent’s future!

 

FAQs

1. What was the main focus of the ANJET awards ceremony in Lagos?  

The ceremony primarily honoured industry veterans for their contributions to Nigerian tourism, emphasising their recognition of past achievements to inspire future growth and highlighting untapped sectors, such as religious tourism.

2. Who is Otunba Segun Runsewe, and why did we honour him?  

Otunba Segun Runsewe is the former Director General of NCAC and NTDA, awarded the Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism for his role in promoting and developing the sector, including advocating for action-oriented policies.

3. How does religious tourism represent untapped potential in Nigeria?

Nigeria’s vibrant spiritual sites and events, like those associated with Pastor T.B. Joshua, attract global visitors but lack formal infrastructure, missing out on billions in revenue similar to Saudi Arabia’s model.

4. What is the current state of tourism growth in Nigeria in 2025? 

The sector is projected to reach US$3.45 billion in revenue, with 10% annual growth, boosted by diaspora trends such as Detty December. However, challenges such as infrastructure and visa issues hinder its full potential.

5. How could enhancing tourism impact unemployment in Nigeria and Africa?  

As a labour-intensive industry, tourism could create millions of jobs post-agriculture, diversify economies, reduce poverty, and empower communities through cultural, ecological, and religious segments.