Impact of the National Tourism Policy 2005 on Employment Generation in Nigeria: An Analytical Discourse

Abstract

Tourism policies are paramount to the development of any country, especially if these programmes of - protecting and promoting Nigeria cultural heritage, encouraging community and public partnerships in tourism development and to generate foreign exchange, enhance income redistribution, alleviate poverty as well as to create employment - are adequately/well implemented. This sector is neglected base on its potentiality in the Nigerian context. The paper seeks to determine how the National Tourism Policy 2005 affected the creation of jobs in Nigeria by analysing the degree to which the policy's objectives were met and investigating the opportunities and difficulties that emerged during its execution. In achieving the objective, the study adapted secondary method of data collection, using the Keynesian multiplier theory. The
crux of the policy was neglected especially the job creation aspect. The contribution of the sector to employment generation of 4.2 million jobs is still very low if compared to India where tourism provides 25 million jobs. The percentage share of the sector to total employment in Nigeria of 4.9% in 2005 is declining and currently stood at 1.91% in 2024. Conclusively, in spite of its potential to create direct and indirect employments as well as boost the Nigerian economy, the tourism industry faces a number of obstacles that limit its capacity to optimize job possibilities. The Policy failed to outline a pragmatic strategy for creating sustainable, high-quality employment in Nigeria’s tourism industry. Additionally, most stakeholders in the industry remain unaware of the provisions of NTP, 2005 and as such do not leverage it in their tourism development efforts. More so, the nature of employment created in the sector is lack of adequate professional expertise. The study recommended the need for urgent review of the national tourism policy to cover specific provision that enhance job creation and ensure qualitative employment in the tourism and hospitality sector in the country. The need for increased awareness creation nationwide and stakeholders’ engagement by The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), and The National Orientation Agency (NOA).