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The Tourism Sector in Nigeria

by Fred Nwaozor The tourism sector in Nigeria is a largely untapped yet highly promising component of the national economy. With her vast landmass, rich cultural diversity, and varied ecosystems, Nigeria possesses the natural and human resources required to build a thriving tourism industry. Tourism, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major source of revenue, employment, and international goodwill for the country. Nigeria’s cultural diversity is one of its greatest tourism assets. With over 250 ethnic groups, each with distinct languages, traditions, festivals, and cuisines, the country offers a wide range of cultural experiences. Traditional festivals such as the Argungu Fishing Festival, Osun-Osogbo Festival, Durbar Festival, and New Yam festivals attract both local and international visitors. The country is also blessed with numerous natural attractions that have strong tourism potential. These include scenic landscapes such as the Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River ...

Nigerians lament over new US' Visa Policy on Nigeria, others

Frank Musa
Nigerians, in their numbers, have continued to lament over the recent single-entry visa policy imposed on the applicants from Nigeria, among other African countries, by the United States' (US') President, Donald Trump.

It could be recalled that a few days ago, the US Government announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Ethiopia, reducing the duration and increasing the conditions under which most travellers from those countries can enter the US.

The US Department of State disclosed that nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of the four countries would now be single-entry and valid for only three months rather than the usual multiple-entry, five-year validity.

It claimed the measure was part of a "global reciprocity realignment", a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries within two years or more.

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However, the Nigeria's Government has denied reports that it only offers single-entry e-visas for three months to US citizens, disclosing Nigeria continued to offer five-year multiple-entry visas to US nationals.

The report stated that the US government's claim of reciprocity as the reason for its current visa policy towards Nigeria did not accurately reflect the actual situation.

On the other hand, the US citizens can reportedly get visas of up to a year in Cameroon, and similar duration in Ethiopia, though the authorities in these two countries were yet to comment as at the time of filing this report.

On their part, Ghana's government said the West African nation has issued more than 28,500 multiple entry visas to US citizens in this year alone.

As we count down the days after the announcement of the stringent measure from the Trump's controversial administration, Nigerians - both home and abroad - have continued to express worry over what their fate entails.

Fred Nwaozor, popularly known as TheMediaAmbassador, is a Nigerian tech expert, author, creative & content writer, media strategist, policy analyst, blogger, public speaker and rights activist. The renowned columnist regularly writes for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and is the Founder & Convener of Right Thinkers Movement (RITMO), Nigeria. He's a chartered industrial physicist, engineer and IT personnel. As a media guru, he enjoys an active presence in all media segments - including electronic, print & digital - since two decades ago till date. As a full-time researcher and educator, he's a regular contributor and peer reviewer for various internationally-noted engineering journals. As an Automation & Telecommunication engineer, his research interest mainly lies in System Modelling, Internet of Things (IoT), Smart city, Cybersecurity, Wireless networks, and Machine Learning (ML).