Many states in the country are grappling with inability to pay staff salaries and meeting up with developmental challenges. One area states have been advised to look at is the tourism sector. Many have argued that the country has enormous potential, considering its natural and cultural heritage, tangible products and beautiful weather, which are predictable for tourism visits, but this goldmine is not properly tapped. While some countries and their sub-nationals in Africa are raking huge revenue from tourism and not relenting in their strategic policy formulation, as well as aggressively marketing their destinations to boost revenue from the sector, tourism stakeholders argue that states in Nigeria need to wake up to current realities and do the needful to earn more from tourism so that they could meet their expenditure demands. For instance, when it comes to tourism in Africa, Kenya is a shining light. Kenya earned about 268.1billion Kenyan shillings, which is about $1.8b from tourism in 2022, representing an increase of 83 per cent compared to 2021, when the sector was still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism sector is a major contributor to the country’s economy, accounting for around 7 per cent of Gross Domestic product (GDP) and creating millions of jobs. Before COVID, tourism, the country’s authorities, said contribute about 10 per cent to the GDP. In this report, Gbenga Salau looks at why Lagos State should explore building tourism activities around the Onikan-TBS corridor of the state, as part of efforts to diversify its revenue base, provide employment and grow its economy.
At the end of second quarter of 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that Lagos State has a domestic debt of N996.44b, while the external debt is $1.26 billion. This is despite the state’s N651.15 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and 160.93 billion, which is federal allocation in 2022 and N400 billion IGR as of half year IGR of 2023.
The figure for 2023 is not inclusive of its federal allocation, yet Lagos State revenue still falls short of meeting its expenditure, which necessitated borrowing. This also implies that the state still needs to further boost and diversify its income source.
Many have argued that with its water bodies, as a former colonial enclave and Nigeria’s former federal capital, Lagos State has a lot to offer in terms of tourism.
And Lagos State, whose population and economy could compete favourably with that of many countries in the continent, can learn from Kenya.
According to the Kenya Tourism Board, during the half-year of 2023, international visitor arrivals closed at 847,810, a 32 per cent increase compared to the previous half year 2022, which registered 642,861 arrivals.
The performance is a 92 per cent recovery when compared to 2019 performance of 929,814 arrivals same period. Of significance is that June 2023 arrivals closed at 168,051 reflecting a growth of one per cent when compared to 166,692 of the same period last year.
In the period, the Kenya Tourism Board revealed that holiday was the main purpose of entry, closing at 338,509 (39.9 per cent), Business & Meetings, Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) is second, closed at 226,908 (26.8 per cent), Visiting friends and Relatives (VFR) travelers is third with 213,417 arrivals (25.2 per cent), On Transit passengers were 44,620 (5.3 per cent) while others (education, medical, religion and sports) closing at 24,356 (2.9 per cent).
The board added that tourism earnings in Kenya rose 31 per cent in the first six months compared to a similar period last year as the sector benefited from the ongoing global recovery, disclosing that the sector booked Ksh152.6 billion ($1.06 billion) in the six months, up from Ksh116.2 billion ($807.79 million) in 2022.
While Lagos State has a ministry of tourism and has been making efforts in that direction, the gravitation is usually towards Badagry for historical tourism marketing.
But there is the argument that there are other spots within the state that can be tourists’ destinations, which the state is not exploring. One of such locations outside Badagry that some stakeholders feel the state could build tourism activities around is the Onikan-TBS corridor.
The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) corridor, no doubt, stakeholders say, could easily be an attractive tourists’ destination, if the state government provides the enabling conducive environment for tour operators and stakeholders in the tourism industry to build tourism activities around monuments and historical buildings around the area.
Along this corridor are several monuments and historical structures that an average tourist, domestic and foreign, would want to visit, especially if appropriately marketed.
For instance, the Tafawa Balewa Square corridor is home to the Onikan Stadium. And opposite the TBS, where Nigeria marked its independence is the Catholic National Secretariat, as well as the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, which recently hosted the tennis-playing Williams sisters. To the left of the TBS is the City Mall, besides which is the National Museum. Opposite the National Museum is the JK Randle Centre. Some metres away from TBS to the left are also the Lagos Island Club and the Yoruba Tennis Club, which have some interesting stories to tell. Adjacent to the TBS is the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON).
Directly behind the TBS are the High Courts, as well as the Independence Building. Opposite the Independence building is the Remembrance Arcade. To the right, though some metres away, is the old colonial prison yard, which has been converted into a recreational centre and now called the Freedom Park. Also within that corridor is the Madam Tinubu Square.
These, no doubt, are structures and monuments that have history behind them. So, efforts could be made for Nigerians and non-Nigerians, to see these places as interesting spots to visit, with their relevant stories packaged for people to listen to and learn one or two things about not just Lagos but how Nigeria has evolved as a country.
The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS)
Nigeria’s existence as an independent nation can be rightly said to be closely tied to the TBS. It was where the crossover from a colonial state to an independent one was brought to live and celebrated. The country’s status as a republic was also celebrated there. So, Nigeria’s history cannot be completely told without reference to the TBS.
The then Race Course, which is now known as Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), hosted the symbolic transfer of power between both countries. The then Prime Minister of the country, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, announced Nigeria’s independence in his speech, which was read at the then Race Course, alongside Princess Alexandria and Sir James Robertson, on October 1, 1960.
The main arena of Tafawa Balewa Square now regularly hosts different public events. The Race Course was renamed Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in honour of Nigeria’s first prime minister, and it is the country’s most known independence monument.
Before it was renamed, the Lagos Race Course was a sports field that hosted horse racing, with sections of it devoted for football and cricket. The land, according to history, was donated to colonial authorities by Oba Dosunmu of Lagos, in 1859. About a century later, the course was redeveloped to celebrate Nigeria’s independence and the lowering of the Union Jack.
TBS currently houses the Lagos Liaison Office of the National Assembly; an office of the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, shopping centres, travel agencies, restaurants, parking lots, the zonal office of the National Broadcasting Commission; Public Complaints Commission, the Lagos office of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loan Board, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, and a bus terminal. Its open field, the main arena that usually hosts events has the capacity to accommodate 50,000 persons. The façade will surely elicit awe from visitors, for once visitors pass through the gates, they will see that the Square features several other dramatic buildings bordering it.
Tinubu Square
Among the landmark monuments that commemorate the country’s independence is the Independence Square built in 1960, and later renamed Tinubu Square in honour of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, who died in 1887. It is on Broad Street, Lagos Island, and the Lagos State government reconstructed it in 2007.
Tinubu Square served as a recreational spot and relaxation centre since it was first built in 1960.
Independence House now Defence House
The Independence House is a 25-storey office building said to have been commissioned by the British government as a testimonial to, and as a goodwill to support Nigeria’s independence in 1960. It was gathered that the construction of the building, which was once the tallest building in Nigeria, started in 1959 and was completed in 1961.
It was also learnt that the building was built of reinforced concrete, housing major corporations and the Defence Headquarters under the General Ibrahim Babaginda administration hence the name it now bears- Defense House.
Remembrance Arcade
The Remembrance Arcade, which is opposite the Independence House, now Defence House, contains memorials of those who fought during World War 1 (WW1), World War 2 (WW2) and the country’s civil war. Every year, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is marked at the arcade.
The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club
The club, founded in 1895, and which is said to be the oldest in Nigeria, occupies approximately 14,000 Sq metres of land. It used to be the sports garden of the colonial British Governors of Nigeria.
The club has hosted great tennis matches, especially during the Lord Rumens Tennis Championship. The late Wimbledon champion, Arthur Ashe; the Austrian great, Thomas Muster; Nduka Odizor, David Imonitie, Sadiq Abubakar and Tony Momoh are some of the biggest talents from the country who played on its court. The club, in 2012, hosted the Williams sisters in a ceremonial contest.
National Museum
The museum, which was founded in 1957 by the English archaeologist, Kenneth Murray, displays contemporary arts, historical relics and treasures. The museum has a collection of Nigerian art, including pieces of statuary and carvings, as well as archaeological and ethnographic exhibits.
Within the museum are galleries housing brass work from Benin City, Nok Terracottas and traditional symbols of power. Also within the museum is the bullet-ridden black Mercedes car in which the late General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated on February 13, 1976.
Freedom Park
It used to be Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prisons, but the ruins were reconstructed to preserve the history and cultural heritage of the Nigerian people.
Currently, it has been turned into a national memorial, historical landmark, a cultural site cum arts and recreational centre.
Onikan Stadium now Mobalaji Johnson Arena
It is the oldest stadium in Nigeria and built in 1930. Six years after it was built, however, it was named after King George V in 1963. Thereafter, it was renamed Lagos City Stadium. Though currently used mostly for football matches, it is the home stadium for various Lagos teams, notably the Stationery Stores Football Club, in its active days.
After it was upgraded recently, it was renamed again after first governor of Lagos State, Mobalaji Johnson Arena.
John Randle Centre
The John Randle Centre, originally built in 1928, used to serve as a hub for cultural tourism, recreation and entertainment. Its reconstruction started in 2018 and was completed and commissioned this year.
At the commissioning ceremony, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the Centre fitted into the state’s overall objectives in Arts, Culture and Tourism as stipulated in the recently launched 20-year Arts and Tourism master plan towards making the state a tourism destination.
The centre has an exhibition gallery, which chronicles the history of Yoruba, cultural evolution and journey from the race’s origins, through present day, to the future.
Commenting, Founder Tourism Afrikania, Chimezie Mike, said Lagos State could build tourism tours around the TBS corridor of Onikan, given the numerous landmarks and historical buildings in the area, noting that the corridor is rich in cultural, historical, and recreational attractions that can be incorporated into tourism initiatives.
“By creating tourism tours around Onikan, Lagos State can showcase its history, culture, arts, sports, and more, offering diverse experiences for tourists and locals alike. This approach can boost tourism traffic and contribute to the state’s economy,” Mike said.
Providing insight on how to build tourism activities around the monuments, Mike called on the state to ensure proper preservation of monuments to maintain their historical and cultural significance as well as install informative plaques or signage near monuments to provide context and historical information for visitors.
He added that guided tours to share the history and significance of each monument could be organised just as providing interactive exhibits or multimedia displays near monuments to engage visitors and enhance their understanding.
According to Mike, there is need to organise cultural events and festivals near monuments to celebrate local culture and attract tourists as well as provide brochures, pamphlets, and online content that promote the monuments and the tourism activities around them.
“Accessibility and Infrastructure: Ensure that monuments are easily accessible, with well-maintained paths, parking facilities, and amenities for tourists. Collaboration with Local Businesses: Partner with local businesses to offer services like restaurants, souvenir shops, and transportation services around the monuments.
“Marketing and Promotion: Implement marketing strategies to reach a wider audience, including both domestic and international tourists. Community Involvement: Engage the local community in tourism efforts, as they can play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the monuments.”
He was optimistic of the impact of Lagos State building tourism activities around its monuments to attract visitors while preserving its rich cultural and historical heritage.
He noted that though Lagos State government has been making concerted efforts to develop and promote tourism in the region, there are lots more things to be done, considering Lagos has both natural and the growing man made attractions.
On why the state should look beyond Badagry when driving tourism traffic, Mike said though Badagry has historical significance and offers unique attractions, diversifying tourism efforts across the state could lead to a more robust and sustainable tourism industry.
“Lagos is a diverse and culturally rich state with numerous areas of interest, including its vibrant city life, beaches, art scenes, and nature reserves. By promoting various destinations and experiences, Lagos can attract a wider range of tourists and maximise the economic benefits of tourism. This approach would also help reduce congestion in any one area, distributing the positive impacts of tourism more evenly across the state.”
On his part, the Managing Director of Getitome Travels and Co-founder, Nigeria Tourism Lovers, Makanjuola Ibrahim Adebusoye, observed that as a significant business hub in Africa and an emerging mega city, Lagos possesses immense opportunities. “However, the absence of a standardised approach and a lack of continuity in our cultural practices hinder the maximisation of these prospects. From public transportation and food outlets to traffic management, street vendors, hotels, and tourist destinations, every sector plays a role in enhancing our tourism potential.”
Adebusoye stated that tourists have diverse reasons for visiting a country, and many are drawn to such unique sites. He, nonetheless, said that it is not solely the state’s responsibility to organise tours, but the state can collaborate with travel companies to create enticing tour packages for these destinations.
“The state can focus on ensuring these packages are well-promoted and the destinations are safe and easily accessible for tourists, fostering a thriving tourism experience. The key lies in establishing and maintaining standards. This responsibility shouldn’t solely rest with associations but should also involve the active participation of the government.
“Collaborative efforts between the government and these associations can enforce these standards effectively. Imposing standards is one thing; ensuring their adherence through consistent follow-ups is another challenge. While implementing these changes might take time, it is crucial for us as Nigerians to initiate this process. By instilling a culture of standardisation and continuity, Lagos and other states can significantly elevate their tourism endeavors.”
He added that to ensure that the tourists have a good time the tours must be led by knowledgeable guides that can enlighten tourists about the monument’s significance.
“Additionally, creating diverse cultural events within the monument’s vicinity, such as theater performances and music concerts, can enhance the overall experience.
“Educational workshops are a great attraction, especially for schools, providing students with immersive learning experiences. For art enthusiasts, periodic art exhibitions or a stable art market near the monument can be enticing.”
He underscored the importance of engaging the local community, as tourists’ interactions with locals greatly influence their satisfaction, so involving the community in the initiatives is essential.
“Additionally, forming partnerships with private enterprises can be immensely beneficial. Active government involvement can encourage private businesses to collaborate, ensuring the sustainable development of these tourism activities in the long run.”
Adebusoye said while Badagry boasts a rich tourism attraction, it represents just a fraction of what Lagos has in store, noting that the state is a treasure trove of diverse tourism potentials that can significantly boost the economy.
“From its stunning beaches and vibrant festivals to delectable local cuisine, captivating artworks, and a bustling entertainment hub, each facet of tourism holds immense economic potential. While the state is already tapping into some of these resources, there are numerous untapped opportunities waiting to be explored. By diversifying its tourism offerings, Lagos State can appeal to a broader range of travelers, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry.”
Adebusoye, therefore, said states must be deliberate in promoting domestic tourism as it plays a multifaceted role in benefiting the state, with economic and cultural advantages at the forefront.
“As people travel within the country, their expenditures on accommodations, transport, and meals inject money directly into the local economy. Beyond the financial boost, domestic tourism generates employment opportunities, fostering a sense of national pride as citizens explore Nigeria’s diverse and rich cultural heritage. Additionally, in our digital age, travelers sharing their experiences on social media platforms inadvertently showcase the nation’s tourism potential to the world, contributing to a positive global image.
“The state, in turn, holds a pivotal role in nurturing domestic tourism. While individual efforts are commendable, the government’s involvement is vital. Establishing policies that attract both local and foreign investors is fundamental, creating an environment where the industry can flourish. Investment in accessible and secure infrastructure, along with essential security measures, ensures the safety and comfort of tourists.
“Moreover, the state government’s support in training locals, particularly tour guides, enhances the overall visitor experience. By taking these initiatives, the state actively contributes to making tourism a thriving and sustainable industry in Nigeria,” Adebusoye stated.
Attempts to get the Lagos State government to comment on building or facilitating tourism activities around the Onikan-TBS corridor were not successful.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Wunmi Seriki, after briefing her, said she would call back.
Thereafter, the Commissioner for the ministry, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka, was contacted. She did not pick her calls neither did she reply the text message sent to her phone.