Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has told tourism stakeholders in the country that security must be prioritised for the industry to thrive.
Odumosuu who charged operators to prioritise security or watch the industry bleed out its potential spoke yesterday at an event to mark this year’s World Tourism Day themed ; “Tourism and Peace: Building Through Cultural Diplomacy.”
According to him, the nation’s rich tourism potential remains underutilised largely because of widespread insecurity and the perception on unsafe destinations.
FCT command spokesperson, DSC Monica Ojobi, said in a statement that the commandant stressed that no meaningful investment can take place in the tourism sector without strong, visible and reliable security.
He said, “There is no tourism without security. Tourists will not visit places where their safety is uncertain. For this sector to grow, operators must work closely with security agencies.”
He said as the agency responsible for the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, the NSCDC considers tourism sites a national priority, given their cultural, historical and economic significance.
“Tourism sites are critical assets. Their preservation and protection should not be negotiable. When properly secured, they encourage investment, attract local and international visitors, and boost the economy,” Odumosuu said.
He said many potential tourism hubs remained underdeveloped because of security concerns. The commandant further urged tourism stakeholders to project the country’s rich tourism potential to the world, but not without putting safety at the forefront.
“We are ready to partner with operators to secure tourist sites across the FCT.
But this must be a two-way effort, the industry must also invest in security infrastructure that boosts visitor confidence,” he said.
He cited successful collaboration between the NSCDC and other security agencies, particularly in identifying and clearing high-risk areas and ‘dark spots’ within the FCT.
Despite security challenges, Odumosuu said he believed that Nigeria’s tourism sector could still deliver significant growth. He referenced iconic destinations like Obudu Cattle Ranch, Kwa Falls, Zuma Rock, and Yankari National Park as examples of world-class attractions that deserve better security, promotion and investment.
“Tourism can bridge cultural divides, drive local economies, and change negative global perceptions about Nigeria. But none of that will happen unless safety is guaranteed,” he added.
While he acknowledged that no country is free of insecurity, Odumosuu insisted that Nigeria must learn to tell its own story through tourism with facts, not fear.
