Minister Pledges Tourism Revival As ‘What My Feet Saw’ Showcases Africa’s Hidden Gems

The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has announced that the Federal Government was set to unveil significant investments in infrastructure and hospitality.

Musawa made the disclosure on Thursday evening in Abuja during the unveiling of “What My Feet Saw”, a travel documentation book by engineer and adventurer Gershon Ogbuluijah. The event, held at the Exhibition Pavilion, attracted dignitaries and culture enthusiasts from across the capital.

“We are doing a lot of things. When you talk about infrastructure, next week we’re going to make an announcement about what we’re building, hotel-wise in Abuja, an amazing 5-star hotel that is coming up,” the minister revealed.

“We’re integrating culture, creativity and tourism. Everything we’re doing should be based on our cultures and different activities throughout the year. This is why we want to bring people into Nigeria for tourism.”

Musawa further disclosed that the government has developed a policy framework to support the tourism industry, with funding already being prepared to strengthen infrastructure and promote local destinations.

“We have done the policy that will support the tourism industry. We’re going to inject some funding for the infrastructure,” she added. “People should keep up with the ministry over the next couple of weeks and months.”

“What My Feet Saw” chronicles Ogbuluijah’s six-year journey across 14 African countries including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, The Gambia, Rwanda, Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritius. His travels by road covered more than 14,000 kilometres and included stops at iconic sites like Lake Victoria and Victoria Falls.

“The reason I wrote this book is for education,” Ogbuluijah said. “Tourism is educational, and I wanted to freeze those things I’ve learnt inside the book for people to read and get to know Africa.”

He recalled how his grandfather, despite never attending formal school, learned to speak English, French and Spanish from years of travel and trade across African borders — an example, he said, of how exposure and movement can educate beyond classrooms.

During a question-and-answer session, Ogbuluijah expressed optimism about Nigeria’s tourism prospects but urged the government to tackle persistent challenges like insecurity and road harassment.

“Nigeria is still the giant of Africa. The giant may be ill, but it is a giant,” he said.

“In countries like Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda, people pay as much as $1,500 to see gorillas in the wild. We have gorillas, chimpanzees, and many natural reserves, Yankari, Gashaka-Gumti but we’re not maximizing them. People will not visit if they are unsure of their safety.”

He recounted travelling 450 kilometres from Nairobi to the Tanzanian border without a single checkpoint, contrasting it with Nigeria’s road network plagued by multiple stops and harassment.

The event began with a guided exhibition of framed photographs from Ogbuluijah’s travels, offering guests vivid glimpses of African landscapes and communities. Nigerian hip-hop artist Six Foot Plus entertained the audience with his classic hit “E Don Do Me” before the minister performed the official unveiling.

Ogbuluijah, who serves on the Board of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency and is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, is also a seasoned adventurer. He has run marathons, enjoys hiking and camping, and in 2022 climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.

The Abuja launch drew guests from various sectors, reflecting growing interest in Nigeria’s creative and tourism ecosystem and a renewed hope that the nation may soon convert its rich cultural and natural heritage into a global attraction.