A history of the Nigerian federal government’s national tourism governance system 1962 - 2006

Abstract

This study explores the history of governance institutions and policies of the Nigerian Federal Government from the country’s independence in 1960 until 2006 a topic, hitherto, not subjected to scholarly historical analysis. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, Nigeria possesses immense potential for tourism development. However, despite its potential, the Nigerian tourism industry has struggled to generate substantial revenue since independence because of a number of challenges, including almost continuous instability arising from several military coups and the periodic episodes of military rule. Political instability discouraged international visitors as they deemed the country unsafe. Despite these challenges, successive administrations made efforts to promote the tourism sector by establishing governance institutions and policies conducive to the development of the sector. This study examines these measures, focusing mostly on the origins and development of the various supervisory structures responsible for overseeing the Nigerian tourism industry in the period under study. It examines the legal framework governing the creation and operations of these structures, providing essential insights into their formation and operations. Furthermore, the study analyses the contributions of these administrative bodies to the overall development of the tourism sector. Apart from the already noted political instability, the sector also suffered from inadequate infrastructure and security concerns to marketing and promotion issues. The study, thus, also analyses the role of successive administrative structures in addressing these challenges and in regulating, governing, and promoting tourism within Nigeria. The work examines the Nigerian experience also in the context of developments in other African countries facing similar challenges and their efforts to attract tourists and investors. The study, thus, seeks to fill a critical gap in the understanding of the Nigerian Federal Government's tourism governance structures and initiatives by providing the historical context of the evolution of successive governing structures, evaluating their contributions to the industry's development, and identifying key challenges that have hindered the sector's growth. It also offers policymakers and stakeholders valuable insights into potential strategies to unlock the full potential of Nigeria's tourism industry.