Tourism Expert Decries Nigeria’s Lack of National Branding

By Diafa Doubra,

A leading tour operator, Tamnawari Brown, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s absence of a clear national branding strategy, warning that it is limiting the country’s ability to compete in the global tourism market. Speaking at a tourism stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, Brown argued that despite Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and vibrant arts scene, the nation has failed to project a unified image that resonates with international visitors.

He noted that countries with strong tourism brands such as South Africa and Kenya have successfully leveraged cultural identity to attract millions of tourists annually. Brown called on the federal government and private sector players to collaborate in creating a strategic branding campaign that showcases Nigeria’s strengths while addressing issues of infrastructure, security, and visitor experience. According to him, without such efforts, Nigeria risks remaining an underperformer in a highly competitive global tourism industry.