Nigeria’s Maritime Tourism Ranking: A Deep Dive into the Lowest Position

Nigeria, despite its impressive 850km coastline, has been ranked among the lowest on the Maritime Tourism Index, according to the International Ocean Institute (IOI). This ranking highlights a significant underperformance in leveraging its vast maritime resources for tourism.

Akanbi Williams, the Director of IOI Nigeria, revealed this concerning news at the 4th edition of the Maritime Writes Project (MWP) bootcamp in Lagos. The event, themed “Protecting Heritages in the Blue Economy,” aimed to address key issues and opportunities within maritime tourism.

Williams emphasized that Nigeria’s position as one of the bottom three countries on the marine tourism index reflects a broader challenge in maximizing the potential of its maritime assets. Despite the country’s extensive coastline, which offers a unique opportunity for maritime tourism, Nigeria’s current ranking underscores the need for substantial improvements in this sector.

The IOI Director encouraged stakeholders to focus on enhancing maritime tourism strategies. He highlighted that with better protection of marine heritages and more robust investment in the blue economy, Nigeria could significantly improve its standing on the index and boost its tourism industry.