As the world prepares to mark World Maritime Day on Thursday, experts have raised alarm over Nigeria’s failure to harness its multi- trillion Naira maritime tourism potential, warning that the country continues to miss out on billions of dollars in annual revenue, job creation, and foreign exchange inflows.
Industry stakeholders who spoke with Shipping Position Daily last week believe that with proper planning, Nigeria’s maritime tourism could rival some of the world’s most popular cruise destinations, transforming the sector into a major contributor to the nation’s GDP.
They noted that maritime tourism alone—through boating, cruising, water sports, cultural festivals, and eco-tourism around riverine communities, could generate trillions of naira annually, while also creating jobs and attracting foreign exchange.
Beyond fishing, stakeholders explained that the country’s brown water (inland rivers and lagoons) and blue water (oceans) economies hold treasure troves that could be leveraged for national development. Yet, pollution, poor planning, and lack of investment have stifled growth in the sector.
With global tourism thriving on maritime experiences, stakeholders insist that Nigeria risks losing trillions of naira in untapped revenue unless urgent steps are taken to transform its maritime tourism into a sustainable economic driver.
Speaking with our correspondent last week, Maritime and Tourism Expert, Mr. Frank Meke, explained that with strategic investments in boating, cruising, water sports, cultural festivals, and eco-tourism around Nigeria’s 850-kilometre coastline, the nation could transform its waters into an economic powerhouse comparable to oil.
“Our inland rivers, lagoons, and oceans are treasure troves that should be feeding communities, driving businesses, and empowering people. Instead, they are neglected, leaving the field open for foreign firms who exploit our waters for the benefit of European markets,” Meke lamented.
Meke noted that despite the establishment of National parks in Lagos and Bayelsa under former President Muhammadu Buhari, little has been done to develop them into world-class tourist destinations. Meke stressed that maritime tourism could “rival oil as Nigeria’s major foreign exchange earner” if properly harnessed.
Supporting this view, Captain Henry Gumwalk, a Master Mariner, warned that Nigeria loses billions of naira every year due to its inability to develop structured maritime tourism. Recounting his recent trip to Spain, he revealed how a simple day cruise from Valencia into the Mediterranean generated huge earnings from enthusiastic tourists.
“In Spain, I paid for a cruise that lasted a single day, and people happily paid for the experience. Here, even with existing services in Lagos charging between ₦150,000 and ₦500,000 per trip around Takwa Bay and Badagry Creek, we have barely scratched the surface,” he said.
Gumwalk projected that a coast-to-coast cruise service from Lagos to Calabar, with stops in Ondo, Warri, and Escravos, could attract 200–300 passengers per trip, each paying premium rates. “This alone would inject massive revenue into the economy while creating jobs and showcasing Nigeria’s coastal beauty,” he added.
Also, a tourism industry expert and author, Nanna Yakubu Dashe, revealed that Nigeria’s tourism sector contributed 3.65 percent (about $17.3 billion) to GDP in 2022, but stressed that deliberate investments in maritime and coastal tourism could exponentially increase that figure.
“Our 850-kilometre Atlantic coastline from Lagos to Calabar holds enormous potential for beach tourism, cultural exchange, and marine leisure activities. Yet, we have barely scratched the surface,” Dashe said.
She emphasized that with ports, jetties, resorts, and eco-friendly facilities, Nigeria could position itself as a global destination. However, she warned that maritime insecurity, environmental pollution, and weak infrastructure remain major barriers.
A beach house operator, Mr. Andrew Eruaga, echoed similar concerns, citing inaccessible coastal roads, unstable electricity, and disputed oceanfront properties as major deterrents for investors.
“At Lemon 7 Beach Hotel where I worked, access to land was a major hurdle. Without clear government intervention, investors will continue to shy away from coastal development,” he said.
Eruaga suggested tax breaks, concessional financing, and public–private partnerships to revive investor confidence and reduce operational costs. He stressed that beyond revenue, maritime tourism could create thousands of jobs across hospitality, entertainment, and transport industries, providing a much-needed solution to unemployment.
Former Acting President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto, accused the government of paying lip service to blue economy development. Farinto added that instead of building infrastructure, officials were “junketing abroad with taxpayers’ money,” defeating the purpose of establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“Look at Amsterdam, where a €2 million tourist vessel generates steady income. Meanwhile in Nigeria, our waterways are unsafe and people still rely on rickety canoes that capsize,” he lamented.
