Nigeria has the most amazingly beautiful scenery. From jaw-dropping waterfalls and ancient kingdoms to bustling city nightlife and cultural festivals that go harder than Coachella, this country has all the makings of a tourist paradise. But somehow, it’s still the underdog in the global tourism game. Why?

First, let’s talk about assets. Nigeria is stacked with natural wonders—Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, Ikogosi Warm Springs, Ado-Awaye suspended Lake, Obudu Mountain Resort, and Awhum Caves could easily be on travel bucket lists if marketed right. Then there’s our cultural sauce: from the Durbar Festival in the North to the Osun-Osogbo sacred grove and Afro-fusion art scenes in Lagos, Nigeria isn’t just one culture, it’s a thousand different ones in one body.

So what’s the issue? In one word: structure.

Tourism in Nigeria is like that friend with main character energy but no consistency. Bad roads, mid-level infrastructure, unstable electricity, and not-so-great safety records make travel a bit of a gamble. And don’t get us started on the airport experience, long queues, missing luggage, and a welcome committee that includes mosquitoes.

Also, the marketing is weak. Other African countries are dropping full campaigns, like “Visit Rwanda,” “Ghana Year of Return,” etc. Meanwhile, Nigeria is out here ghosting the tourism streets. We have the content, but we’re not telling the story right.

But here’s the thing: Gen Z Nigerians are low-key changing the game. Social media travel content creators, vloggers, and influencers are showing off the country’s hidden gems. There’s a growing wave of “Japa later, explore Nigeria now” energy, and the tourism potential is slowly being rebranded, by us, for us.

This wave is ridden with a few challenges, some of which are:

1. Lack of infrastructure

Nigeria’s roads, airports, and public transport are still playing catch-up. Hopping between Lagos and Calabar? Might as well prepare for a plot twist. Even new airports do not function smoothly, like the luggage debacle at Lagos Int’l. Without smooth travel, tourism stays stuck.

2. Security? Not so secure

Between insurgency hotspots, bandit zones, and kidnappings, the “Is it safe?” keeps getting asked. Places once popping with tourists, like, Kainji Lake, Obudu Ranch, are now off the map because they just aren’t safe to explore with the level of insecurity in the country.

3. Marketing? What marketing?

Kenya had its “Year of Return,” Ghana keeps it global. Nigeria? Still ghosting on a unified tourism brand. Domestic tourism isn’t strong either, economic stress, lack of awareness, and broken facilities keep locals home-bound .

4. Visa + bureaucracy = no thanks

Complex visa rules, useless information desks, confusing entry procedures, tourists bump into barriers before they even land.

5. Underfunded, undertrained, underwhelming

Museums falling apart (looking at you, Aba Colonial Museum), no consistent training for tour guides, and fragmented government policies mean that even hidden gems aren’t showcased well. But hey—there’s hope.

New projects like the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway aim to open up tourism corridors. The government is rolling out a National Tourism Master Plan, better branding, and digital promotion. Plus, the private sector is stepping up with resorts, beach hubs, and boutique hotels ready to serve.

Nigeria’s got the vibes, but needs the follow-through. Fix the roads, secure the zones, streamline visas, and actually talk up the culture. With that, Naija can swap “maybe someday” for “definitely next ticket.” Tourism isn’t just about showing off, it’s about jobs, growth, and celebrating what makes us us.