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Tourism

Boosting Nigeria's Tourism Industry through National Parks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nigeria's tourism industry is set to get a major boost, thanks to the National Park Service (NPS) Board Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, who has outlined plans to revitalize the country's national parks, making them visible and attractive to locals and international visitors. According to Ononogbu, parks can become a significant source of revenue for the government, offering economic, health, educational, and research benefits. However, Nigerians' lack of awareness of the existing national parks is a major challenge, with many preferring to spend their holidays abroad.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, Chairman of the National Park Service (NPS), aims to revitalize Nigeria's national parks and maximize their revenue potentials.
  • Ononogbu's vision includes creating awareness about the existing national parks, promoting a lifestyle that values good health, education, and research values.
  • The NPS Board plans to adopt strategies spanning immediate, intermediate, and long-term outcomes to revitalize the nation's parks and make them visible and attractive for local and international patronage.
  • The Chairman expressed concern that many Nigerians are not even aware of the existing national parks, citing the example of Abuja's mini park with live animals, which is unknown to many residents.
  • Ononogbu noted that Nigeria would save foreign exchange if national parks could be upgraded to the level where Nigerians would prefer spending their holidays at home instead of going abroad at high cost.
  • The NPS Board Chairman, who is also the Abia State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), aims to showcase the diversity of Nigeria's national parks and make the country a tourism destination.

Statistics:

  • Nigeria's national parks have the potential to become a significant source of revenue for the government.
  • Nigerians are currently not aware of the existing national parks, with many preferring to spend their holidays abroad at high cost.
  • The NPS Board plans to adopt strategies to revitalize the nation's parks and make them visible and attractive for local and international patronage.

Sources:

  • This Day, Copyright 2025, All rights reserved, Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

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