The fall in oil prices globally over the years has shown the economic vulnerabilities attached to Nigeria’s dependence on revenues made from crude oil. Although other industries like agriculture and entertainment have been tipped to improve Nigeria’s economic status quo, the tourism sector has huge potential to improve the country’s economic development. With the sector, weaved with cultural heritages and histories, Nigeria has not deeply explored the industry. With $5 million in 2016, Nigeria ranked 35th among countries with the highest earnings from tourism.
Commenting on the challenges halting Nigeria’s exploration of the tourism industry, Peter Knights, founder of Wild Africa Fund, noted that numerous conservation problems in Nigeria were as a result of the endangered wildlife that has ravaged the country’s wildlife scene. In indicating these problems, he stated that there were only about 50 lions and 500 elephants in the country. Although the country still harbors the dream of establishing national parks to improve the tourism industry, he noted that the increase and sustainable of these wildlife animals was a major challenge.
New legislation to support wildlife development compulsory.
He noted that wildlife had immensely enhanced the tourism industry in countries like Rwanda. The Wild Life Fund founder revealed that Rwanda had in fact, rebuilt its national park. He lauded Rwanda’s efforts at placing Rhinos, giraffes, as well as other animals back in established zoos, which have helped them develop their tourism sector. He however admitted that this process involved a huge investment of time and money. Listing a wide range of employment opportunities, Peter explained that tourism was a major drive for enhancing employment across the country.
Speaking on the ways by which Nigeria could enact in salvaging these problems, Peter noted that a new legislation to support the development of the industry would be tremendous. He indicated that these new laws were being facilitated by NASA, an agency that has indulged in little or no prosecutions in the past. He thus explained that with this new law, illegal poaching of animals would-be eradicated whilst still being able to prosecution.
Wildlife Africa Fund tilted towards public service and outreach.
It is also indicated that it was important for Nigeria to fulfill its obligations to the United Nations Convention, one that the current legislation has not been able to fulfill. Asked why Nigeria was the hub for transmitting the illegal trafficking of pangolin scales, he admitted that Nigeria had over time, become the epicenter for wildlife trafficking. Peter, who had once advocated for the reduction of urban consumption of bushmeat in Nigeria, stated that it was hugely possible to change the status quo here, indicating that the country was enacting actions to curb this challenge.
Further explaining the mission of his Wild Africa Fund in Nigeria and across Africa, he noted that the mission was tilted toward public service work, enlightenment via media materials, as well as outreach. Peter disclosed that his team was working on launching a park concert series that would involve music across Africa and wildlife education. He also disclosed that his team was working closely to support the enactment of the wildlife legislation and once this is achieved, education outreach will be enabled.
Nigerians must participate in the protection of wildlife.
Peter Knight also indicated that numerous surveys would be carried out this year, as the responses from the media had been really supportive. He said that the government and its agencies were totally positive about this project, promising that a massive transformation would be witnessed over the next 18 months. On the outreach, he disclosed that they were working with local TV stations to ensure that the message is passed via local languages. He then urged Nigerians to participate in the protection of wildlife.
Related Link
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Nigeria’s economy & image via Tourism. – Conservation problem in Nigeria, a result of wildlife endangerment. – Express your point of view.
The global decline in oil prices over the past several years has illuminated the economic risks that are associated with Nigeria’s reliance on earnings generated from the sale of crude oil.
The tourist industry in Nigeria has enormous potential to boost the country’s economy, even though other businesses like agriculture and entertainment have been predicted to do so.
The extinction of various species of animals in Nigeria is a major factor in the country’s degraded natural habitats, which has resulted in numerous conservation issues.
The nation still holds the desire of constructing national parks in order to strengthen the tourism business, and the problem of increasing the population of these natural creatures in a sustainable manner was a significant one.
It was essential for Nigeria to live up to its commitments under the United Nations Convention; yet, the country’s legal framework at the time was unable to make this possible.
This procedure required a significant investment of both time and funds; I am hopeful that the government will support it.
The government and its agencies had an extremely positive outlook on this initiative, and they predicted that a significant improvement would be seen as a result.
The tourism sector possesses great potential to boost the economy if given be necessary attention. We have quite a lot of locations with tourist attractions.
The protection of wildlife across the country should be taking with whole seriousness because this is a great potential avenue to generate income through tourism to the country economy and will also provide lots of jobs.
Many conservation problems have arisen as a direct result of the annihilation of several animal species in Nigeria’s once-vibrant ecosystems.
Tourism and wildlife is an area nigeria is yet to explore as a result we are losing so many of our wildlife to poaching. Government should enact a law against poaching. We need game reserves for tourism purpose.
In the course of finding a way to diversify the economy Nigeria needs to tap into every sector that has proven to have significant potential and contribution to the country’s economy.
Tourism will also help in boosting the country economy we should improve and strengthen the tourism business to help the country
Crude oil and Tourism are important has been of great benefit to the country respectively. Gov’t should proffer solutions to tackle the challenges. This would have positive impacts on the economy.
If properly supported, the tourism industry may significantly contribute to GDP growth. Attraction-rich destinations can be found in plentiful supply around the country.
Protection of our wide Life is essential, as it’s also contributes to tourism. Tourism should be taken more seriously. It has great potentials to boost the economy.
Furthermore contributing to the expansion of the country’s economy will be tourism; hence, in order to be of assistance to the nation, we ought to work toward enhancing and expanding the tourism industry.
Nigeria’s economy & image via Tourism. This country Nigeria is not well organised when it comes to tourism and storage of Wildlife.
We really need to do more in our conservation of wildlife. When our tourism works better, there will be more revenue for the government. It will make our country attractive to foreigners.
No doubt about the above. Nigeria Tourism and wildlife management is very poor. Little were done by our government to conserve our wildlife which is currently can be regarded as an endangered species. Other countries are benefitting massively from Tourism an wildlife. We can also generate revenue from this too if government can invest in it and legalized laws that prohibit poaching and wanton destruction of forest.