Nigeria's Waterways Flagged as Untapped Aqua-Tourism Opportunity
Yomi Sonuga, Chairman of Bras Marine and Yacht Services Limited, has called for greater investment in Nigeria's marine sector, arguing the country has the natural assets to become a leading aqua-tourism destination in Africa. Speaking on the potential of Nigeria's approximately 850-kilometre Gulf of Guinea coastline, alongside its inland waterways, lagoons, creeks and islands, Sonuga pointed to the Lagos lagoon network as a ready platform for sightseeing cruises, waterfront dining and recreational boating, while the Niger Delta river systems offer prospects for eco-tourism and cultural experiences.
Sonuga cited Seychelles, the Maldives and Cancun as examples of destinations that have successfully converted coastal and waterway assets into major tourism revenue streams through targeted investment. He identified marine safety as the foundational priority, calling for operator certification, vessel inspections, life-saving equipment and emergency response infrastructure. Additional recommendations included modern navigation technologies such as digital marine charts and vessel-tracking systems, as well as the development of marinas, docking facilities and maintenance centres to attract investment and improve the overall visitor experience.
Source: The Gaurdian Nigeria