Air Peace Chairman Champions Nigerian Tourism as Untapped Foreign Exchange Goldmine
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has made a powerful appeal to tour operators to intensify the promotion of Nigerian destinations on the international stage. Speaking at the 5th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) held recently in Lagos, Onyema stressed that a deliberate marketing push could position Nigeria as a serious contender in the global tourism arena while generating vital foreign exchange for the nation.
According to the aviation magnate, Nigeria is home to an abundance of tourist attractions whose full potential remains largely untapped due to years of neglect. He argued that with focused investment and strategic promotion, these assets could transform into significant revenue streams for the country. He pointed to the Durbar festival in Northern Nigeria as a shining example of a cultural spectacle gaining international recognition, comparing its allure to the world-famous Caribbean carnivals that draw travellers from every corner of the globe. The Calabar Carnival, he added, is another homegrown treasure deserving of a stronger international spotlight.
Onyema also highlighted the palaces of traditional Emirs in Northern Nigeria as untapped tourism goldmines. He proposed that with combined public and private sector investment, these royal courts could be equipped with theatre-style auditoriums where international visitors would gladly pay to witness authentic traditional governance and cultural performances. Such experiences, he noted, could position Nigeria alongside other African cultural heritage destinations that already earn substantial income from experiential tourism.
The Air Peace boss did not shy away from tackling one of the most persistent challenges affecting Nigeria's tourism image, the widespread narrative of insecurity. He expressed concern that some Nigerians and organisations continue to de-market their own country, projecting a picture of danger that scares away visitors, foreign investors, airline crew and tourists. While acknowledging that insecurity is a real challenge, he argued that the constant amplification of fear does far more damage than the actual situation warrants.
Onyema made a startling revelation, stating that insecurity has effectively become a business for some players. He recounted how cabin crew members of foreign airlines flying into Nigeria are often escorted by security personnel because they have been told they face kidnapping risks. Foreign pilots, engineers and aviation technicians brought in by Nigerian carriers similarly demand elevated security arrangements before agreeing to travel, largely because of the exaggerated perceptions circulating abroad.
For African travel trade professionals, this insight carries important lessons about destination branding and narrative control. As the continent competes for a greater share of global tourism arrivals, the way each country's story is told, both internally and externally, will shape traveller confidence and business flows in the years ahead. Onyema urged Nigerians to embrace patriotism and consistently promote the country's positive attributes, warning that negative portrayals directly stifle economic growth and tourism development.
The Air Peace chief also praised the federal government's ambitious infrastructure push, singling out the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a game-changing initiative. He explained that the coastal road project would dramatically improve connectivity across the country, create thousands of jobs and open up coastal attractions to both domestic and international visitors. This aligns with broader trends across sub-Saharan Africa, where governments are increasingly recognising that transport infrastructure is the backbone of any serious tourism strategy.
For the African travel industry, Onyema's message resonates far beyond Nigeria's borders. It serves as a timely reminder that Africa's tourism future depends on bold storytelling, cultural pride, cross-sector collaboration and infrastructure investment. Tour operators across the continent are being called to see themselves not merely as sellers of holidays but as ambassadors shaping how the world perceives Africa in the decade ahead.
