Women Behind Nigeria’s Eco-Lodges: The Unsung Heroes of Sustainable Travel

When discussing sustainable travel, we typically focus on rivers, wildlife, and nature. However, behind the scenes, another, more significant, and frequently overlooked action is taking place. 

Women across the nation are contributing to the construction of eco-lodges that benefit their communities and help preserve the environment. 

They employ people from neighbouring communities, use locally produced materials, and design areas that honour the land and culture.

These women are the unsung heroes of sustainable travel. Their work benefits the environment, provides employment opportunities for others, and preserves traditions.

In this article, we will examine the women behind sustainable travel in Nigeria.

 

Understanding Nigeria’s Eco‑Tourism Potential 

Nigeria is home to an incredible mix of natural wonders, mountain ranges, rainforests, waterfalls, and protected wildlife zones. 

From the savannahs of Gashaka-Gumti to the misty hills of Obudu, the country offers vast opportunities for eco-tourism that have yet to be fully explored.

As this sector grows, eco-lodges are becoming central to how visitors experience Nigeria’s wild spaces. These lodges don’t just provide accommodation; they connect tourists with culture, conservation, and the livelihoods of local communities.

And at the heart of many of these efforts are women, quietly working behind the scenes as the unsung heroes of sustainable travel, shaping tourism in ways that protect both people and the environment. Would you like a small stat or quote from a verified study added to reinforce any of these points?

 

How Nigerian Women Are Designing Community‑Driven Eco‑Lodges

In Nigeria, an increasing number of women are taking on leadership positions in sustainable travel, not only as employees but also as business owners. 

They are constructing lodges that are more than just somewhere to stay. These women are establishing places that promote cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and community giving. 

Their approach to tourism is personal, practical, and deeply rooted in the places they call home. And here’s how they do it.

• Building With Local Skills:

Thanks to training programs like EcoGenesis and ECOFWE, many women are now involved in the day-to-day operation of eco-lodges, working as cooks, guides, craft makers, and lodge managers. 

Their work brings local knowledge into tourism, helping to make each experience more authentic and genuine.

• Creating With Purpose:

From handwoven baskets to lampshades crafted from calabash, women across Nigeria are bringing creativity and intention into eco-lodge design.

 Many of these items are made from recycled or natural materials, such as bamboo, raffia, and reclaimed wood, which not only reduce waste but also honour traditional craftsmanship.

• Sharing Knowledge:

Groups like WISE and WONCA train women to lead guided walks, share cultural stories, and educate both guests and locals about forest conservation. Their work helps connect visitors to nature while also reviving pride in local heritage.

• Giving Back To The Community:

The income women earn from tourism, whether through selling crafts or leading eco-activities, often goes straight back into their villages. It helps pay school fees, supports small loans for other women, and funds small community projects.

Read More

• Community-Based Tourism in Nigeria: Empowering Locals [2025]
• Top Benefits of Eco-Tourism in Nigeria for Local Communities [2025]
• Eco Travel in Nigeria: 8 Smart Tips for Sustainable Trips [2025 Guide]

Challenges Faced By Women in Rural Eco-Lodge Management

Women across Nigeria are making significant contributions to eco-tourism, but they often face unique challenges that limit their progress. 

While some are emerging as the unsung heroes of sustainable travel, many others are hindered by cultural, legal, and financial barriers that prevent them from fully participating in the industry.

Here’s a breakdown of these factors.

Limited Land Ownership

Most eco-lodge projects need access to land. But in many parts of Nigeria, land is inherited or owned through male-dominated family lines. This means women often struggle to secure land titles or leases, even if they have the skills or vision to build a lodge.

Cultural Expectations and Gender Roles

In some communities, tourism is still seen as a “man’s job” or an urban business. Rural women may be discouraged from entering the field, especially if they’re expected to focus on domestic roles. This cultural pressure can make women feel like they don’t belong in tourism, even when they do.

Lack of Access To Funding

Starting an eco-lodge or even a small tourism business requires capital. Yet many women, especially in rural areas, lack access to bank loans or government grants.

Even when tourism support programmes exist, women may not be aware of them or may be excluded due to paperwork and collateral requirements.

Education And Skill Gaps

Without formal education or tourism-related training, many women feel unprepared to take on roles in guiding, hospitality, or lodge management. 

This creates a cycle where women are under-represented, and their absence is wrongly seen as disinterest.

Despite these barriers, many women are finding creative ways to break through, proving that with the proper support, more of Nigeria’s tourism sector can be shaped by the very people who understand its communities best.

 

Policy Recommendations to Improve Female Engagement

Nigeria’s sustainable tourism sector needs inclusive policies that recognise women not as beneficiaries but as drivers of sustainability.

• Expand Access to Micro–Credit:

Government tourism funds and private lenders should prioritise women-led eco initiatives.

• Offer Land Security:

Customary land rights must be clarified to allow women to own and operate tourism properties.

• Invest in Training: 

Vocational programmes should include modules on hospitality, eco-lodge design, and digital marketing tailored for women in rural areas.

• Create Local Networks: 

Women’s tourism cooperatives can provide mentorship, facilitate bulk procurement, and share knowledge.

Conclusion

Nigerian ecotourism would not be the same without the women who labour silently in the background.

Through their use of local resources, training of other women, and community service, they have demonstrated that sustainability is about people as much as it is about the environment. 

These women face significant challenges, including limited access to land and funding, as well as a lack of institutional support. However, they still take the lead in ways that advance their communities and safeguard the environment.  

In addition to operating eco-lodges, they mould them to represent community strength, culture, and compassion. They may not always be in the headlines, but they are the unsung heroes of sustainable travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where Can I Visit A Women-Led Eco-Lodge In Nigeria?

States like Akwa Ibom, Ondo, and Cross River are home to eco-tourism sites such as the Ibeno Beach Conservation Hub and Obudu Eco-Farm, where strong female leadership and community involvement are key features.

2. Is Eco-Tourism in Nigeria Safe for Visitors?

Yes, although infrastructure challenges exist. Most reputable eco-lodges provide local guides, security, and immersive cultural experiences in protected areas.

3. What training programmes support women in ecotourism?

The Federal Ministry of Tourism launched the EcoGenesis Incubator in early 2024 to train women and youth across Nigeria on tourism souvenir production, like jewellery making and traditional crafts.

Upon completing the training, participants receive starter packs to help launch local businesses.