During a visit to Taraba State’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali, the Minister of Tourism highlighted that insecurity has significantly hindered the growth of Nigeria’s tourism industry, which she believes has the potential to surpass oil and gas as the nation’s top revenue generator.

She stressed the need for collaboration between the state, federal government, and private investors to tap into Taraba’s rich tourism assets and promote sustainable development.

The minister emphasized the importance of community-based tourism as a way to strengthen local economies and restore national pride.

She acknowledged the broader challenges facing the country, including security issues, rising costs of living, and inadequate infrastructure, but expressed confidence in the government’s efforts to address these obstacles. She also noted the importance of teaching tourism and history at the primary school level to build future leaders in the sector.

Taraba’s Commissioner for Heritage and Ecotourism, Joseph Nagombe, commended the minister’s commitment to revitalizing the sector, highlighting recent efforts to engage with state tourism stakeholders. The state government, led by Governor Agbu Kefas, is actively seeking federal support and investor partnerships to develop key tourism sites like the Mambilla Plateau and Gashaka Gumti National Park, aiming to unlock Taraba’s full potential as a major destination in Nigeria’s tourism landscape.