Nigeria is taking bold steps to elevate its tourism sector with a revamped national tourism policy focused on boosting high-end hospitality infrastructure.
A key priority is dramatically increasing the number of world-class five-star hotels in the country’s two major hubs: Abuja and Lagos.
This initiative was announced by Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, during a recent stakeholder engagement in Abuja.
She highlighted the longstanding gap in premium accommodations as a major barrier to attracting international visitors and positioning Nigeria as a competitive global destination.
“Abuja should have five or six [world-class hotels]. The fact that there’s no arena in a country that produces afrobeats… is another crying shame.”
.”There’s only one five star hotel in the capital of Abuja in the capital of Nigeria. Abuja Hilton, you know, is another crying shame. Abuja should have five or six.”
Currently, premium five-star options remain limited.
In Abuja, few hotels meet global five-star standards.
Listings from major booking platforms show a handful of properties marketed as five-star, but none from Nigeria appear in prestigious global rankings like the Forbes Travel Guide, which certifies top-tier luxury hospitality worldwide.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and cultural powerhouse, fares slightly better with established names like Lagos Continental Hotel, Eko Hotels & Suites, and The Federal Palace Hotel often featured in luxury categories.
However, the overall supply falls short of what is needed to support surging demand from business travelers, diaspora visitors, and growing
Her comments underscore the mismatch between Nigeria’s vibrant creative output—especially in music and entertainment—and the supporting infrastructure required for large-scale events and high-end tourism.
Funding Mechanism
To tackle these challenges head-on, the Nigerian government has established the Creative & Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTICo)—often referred to as CityCo or CTIC—a Special Purpose Vehicle approved by the Federal Executive Council.
Operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, CTICo provides a dedicated funding mechanism to address critical infrastructural deficiencies in the tourism and creative sectors.
This new entity aims to attract local and international investment, targeting ambitious goals such as contributing significantly to Nigeria’s GDP growth and creating millions of jobs through enhanced facilities.
Musawa explained that CTICo will empower the hotel sub-sector in Abuja and Lagos to compete on the global stage with cities boasting abundant world-class accommodations.
“We want to see world-class hotels in Abuja and Lagos. The focus will be on hotels… We’re working on a number… I want people in the industry to know honestly that we hear you and we see you and we know that the government has a lot to do in order to prove to you.“
These projects form part of a broader push to expand upper-class and luxury lodging options.
Related initiatives include partnerships like recent UAE collaborations for a flagship hotel, cultural centers, and resort developments (such as Coco Beach in Lagos).
As these projects progress, travelers and investors can expect a more robust hospitality landscape in Abuja and Lagos in the coming years—potentially transforming Nigeria’s appeal as a must-visit African destination.
This push aligns with ongoing efforts to promote sustainable tourism growth, enhance cultural experiences, and leverage Nigeria’s creative economy for broader economic diversification.
