Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has cautioned that Nigeria’s tourism sector cannot flourish while some Nigerians persist in projecting a negative image of the country to the world.
He gave the warning on Sunday during an interactive session at the revamped Olumo Rock Tourist Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State, themed: “Experiencing Olumo: Celebrating Heritage, Inspiring Tourism.”
The event also provided the backdrop for the Book Signing/Reading of his newly-released book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration.”
Alhaji Mohammed condemned what he described as “incessant and reckless denigration of Nigeria,” noting that such narratives undermine national interests, particularly in tourism and culture.
“Those who constantly badmouth Nigeria are, wittingly or unwittingly, acting as enemies of our culture and tourism sector. You cannot consistently speak ill of your own country and expect foreign tourists to see it as an attractive destination,” he said.
The former Minister commended the Ogun State Government for transforming Olumo Rock from a basic historic site into a modern heritage and tourism facility, saying the upgrade demonstrates what visionary leadership can achieve in the tourism space.
He urged both federal and state governments to prioritize tourism development and strengthen partnerships with the private sector, describing tourism as a viable alternative revenue stream capable of driving economic growth, job creation and cultural preservation.
“What we need is for governments at all levels to provide stronger incentives to investors in tourism and the creative industries. That is a winning strategy for Nigeria,” he added.
Citing data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and UNESCO, Alhaji Mohammed noted that global tourism contributes over $10 trillion to the world economy, which represents about 10 to 11 per cent of global GDP, while cultural industries add billions more through arts, heritage and creative enterprises.
“Together, tourism and culture support over 330 million jobs worldwide. Nigeria cannot afford to ignore this enormous opportunity,” he said.
He argued that strategic development of cultural and tourist sites, such as the Olumo Rock, can attract investment, stimulate infrastructure growth and improve public services.
The former Minister described the book as an insider account of public communication, media strategy and cultural diplomacy during his tenure as Minister of Information and Culture from 2015 to 2023.
“I chose to focus on the culture and tourism aspects of the book because of the theme of this event. The book details how we leveraged the media to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential during our administration,” he said.
He highlighted key achievements, including the renovation of the National Theatre, hosting of international conferences to attract investors and tourists and increased visibility for Nigerian festivals and cultural sites.
He also mentioned the repatriation of stolen Nigerian artefacts, which are now sitting on shelves in museums across Europe and North America, attracting millions of visitors every year.
‘’In 2019, I launched a global campaign for the restitution of these artefacts. I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress. In 2022, we signed an agreement with Germany for the return of 1,130 Benin Bronzes, the largest single restitution of looted artefacts in modern history. We have also recovered dozens of artworks from the Netherlands, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others,’’ the former Minister said.
Alhaji Mohammed also noted that other initiatives in his tenure, such as the National Sensitization Campaign on Fake News and Misinformation, were designed to counter false narratives that could damage Nigeria’s image abroad.
He added that engagements with international media and global think tanks were aimed at presenting accurate information about Nigeria’s security challenges and efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and herder-farmer conflicts, issues that could deter tourists and investors if misrepresented.
In his remarks, Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Sesan Fagbayi, said the revitalization of Olumo Rock has already demonstrated the state’s tourism revenue potential.
He revealed that the state government is pursuing public-private partnerships to develop other heritage and tourist sites across Ogun State.
Also speaking, Mr. Bola Basibo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, said Ogun is repositioning tourism as a major economic driver.
He stated that the redevelopment of Olumo Rock is part of a broader strategy to make Ogun a premier tourism destination in Nigeria.
“The Governor is determined to make Olumo Rock the foremost tourist site in the state. Beyond rock climbing, it will become a hub for cultural dialogue, historical learning and tourism engagement,” Basibo said.
The event was also attended by the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Adeleye as well as the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape.
