FG plans 7-star hotels, entertainment arena to boost tourism sector

The federal government says it is considering the development of 7-star hotels, a modern concert and entertainment arena, and the revitalisation of national museums through public-private partnerships (PPPs) as part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s tourism sector.

The projects were discussed during a meeting in Abuja between the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the federal ministry of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy.

According to the ministry, the proposed projects also include strategic collaborations with Netflix on film production, training and creative industry development.

Speaking during the meeting, Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy, said infrastructure remains central to unlocking Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy potential.

“Nigeria is known for its music, fashion and food, yet we do not have the infrastructure to host the world,” she said.

“Our people travel to other countries for major entertainment events, and that represents a huge loss of economic value for Nigeria.”

Musawa said the sector could contribute as much as $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030 if critical infrastructure gaps are addressed.

The minister also stressed the need for world-class hospitality and entertainment infrastructure in Abuja and other major cities.

On his part, Jobson Ewalefoh, director-general (DG) of the ICRC, said the commission is ready to support viable tourism infrastructure projects capable of transforming the sector.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is heavily driven by infrastructure development, and tourism infrastructure is no exception,” Ewalefoh said.

“The Commission is committed to ensuring that all viable projects within the tourism and creative economy sector receive the necessary regulatory support required to move from concept to implementation within record time.”

He added that the ICRC had streamlined PPP processes to create a more investor-friendly environment while maintaining transparency and regulatory compliance.

The discussions underscored the growing role of PPPs in addressing infrastructure deficits and positioning Nigeria as a major tourism and entertainment hub in Africa.