By Frank Meke
Monday, September 22, began like any other rainy day in Lagos. The heavens opened, drenching the city and compounding the notorious traffic gridlock. Driving through the storm, I relied not on Google Maps, but on three decades of navigating Lagos roads—an experience that has become my compass.
By the time I arrived at Falomo Jetty, I was well ahead of schedule. A quick call to one of Nigeria’s young and uncelebrated maritime specialists, Damilola Emmanuel, General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), brought him promptly to meet me. At LASWA’s expansive jetty, which doubles as a showcase of the city’s water transportation potential, we exchanged pleasantries before delving into the day’s newspapers—a ritual that has long anchored my journalism journey.
But the true purpose of my outing was an invitation from Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP). Barely a year into her leadership, Mustapha has already injected fresh energy into Nigeria’s tourism space, especially in the area of tour guiding. With determination and tact, she has worked to unify a fragmented sector, weaving together Nigeria’s cultural and heritage assets into a coherent narrative.
From Ilorin to Akure and now Lagos, Mustapha has consistently pushed back against ignorance and fear surrounding cultural tourism. She champions local community collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. True to form, while many industry players prepared long-winded speeches for Saturday’s World Tourism Day (September 27), NATOP chose action—leading a field trip to Tarkwa Bay, one of Lagos’ most beautiful coastal communities.
The visit was more than symbolic. Visitors donned life jackets, experienced the pristine beachfront, and engaged with the community. At its heart was a vision: to create a sustainable, entrepreneurial maritime tourism model driven by locals and supported by government partnerships.
Significantly, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, joined the initiative, lending official weight to NATOP’s efforts. Rather than confining the celebration to conference halls, Lagos demonstrated that tourism thrives where people, culture, food, and heritage intersect.
The promises made during the visit signal real opportunities. If NATOP and Lagos State can succeed in establishing Tarkwa Bay as a model for coastal tourism, Nigeria’s vast 8,000-kilometre coastline—rich with festivals, cuisines, dances, and cultural diversity—could be transformed into a thriving tourism economy.
As the world marks World Tourism Day on Saturday, September 27, the theme of this year’s global celebration resonates deeply. With creativity, innovation, and collaboration, coastal tourism could become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s cultural and economic renaissance.
