Nigeria’s tourism, a multi-billion dollar untapped goldmine — Mr Tourism Nigeria

Assop Falls is a popular tourist attraction in Plateau State
Mr Tourism Nigeria 2018, Mr Olugbenga Ayilola, says tourist attractions in Nigeria are a multi-billion dollar goldmine waiting to be tapped.
Mr Ayilola, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Okitipupa, Ondo State said that if properly harnessed, tourism would boost Nigeria’s economy.
He added that tourism, through the Public/Private Partnership initiative, would create job opportunities for the youth and generate a high income that would boost the national economy.
NAN reports that Ayilola, 26, a final year Law Student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife beat other 21 contestants to emerge as Mr Tourism Nigeria 2018 on Dec. 9, in Lagos.
According to him, if Nigerians can travel to Dubai, Canada, America, the UK and other nations to visit their tourist centres, I think the global tourists’ community can do same here, if we properly develop our tourist attractions.
“Tourism in Nigeria is a multi-billion dollar business that is generally waiting to be developed, and if properly harnessed, can create jobs for the youths and open up new revenue areas to government.
“If government can invest in our tourism attractions through the Public/Private Partnership initiative, I think it will boost the sector and help to develop our economy,’’ Ayilola said.
He, however, said he would use his tenure to serve his fatherland and promote the nation’s cultural heritage, without any religious, political or ethnic discrimination.
“I intend to use my new office to revitalise, resuscitate and rebrand tourism in Nigeria to international standard, which will attract tourists from across the world.
Ayilola hails from Ijero in Ekiti state.
He was sponsored to the annual event by G-Afric Crypto and Logistics, and supported by Oba Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja 1, Ooni of Ife. (NAN)