ACETNews
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN), has called for greater use of technology and youth-led innovation to improve safety, strengthen confidence in travel and unlock the economic potential of domestic tourism in Nigeria.
Udeh made the call at the 2026 Domestic Tourism Festival organised by Jands Travel Business School at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu.
He said technology should no longer be treated as an addition to tourism development but as an essential tool for creating safer, more accessible and competitive travel experiences.
According to him, technologies such as CCTV, drones, GPS-enabled systems and real-time monitoring could help detect hazards early, improve emergency response and give travellers greater confidence to explore destinations within Nigeria.
“Until we use technology to make people feel safe, people may be reluctant to travel,” he said.
The minister also challenged young Nigerians to see themselves as active participants in the tourism economy, rather than waiting to become its future leaders.
He urged youths to identify specific problems within the tourism value chain, develop practical solutions and seek partnerships with individuals or organisations capable of helping them turn their ideas into viable businesses.
Udeh said the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is prepared to support young Nigerians through initiatives covering technology development, enterprise development and skills acquisition.
He identified travel, destination marketing, cultural preservation and hospitality as areas where young innovators could create solutions and generate employment.
The minister also stressed the importance of an enabling environment, saying government should concentrate on policies and conditions that allow private businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive.
He listed security, infrastructure, investment incentives, sound policies and the reduction of bureaucratic bottlenecks as critical to attracting investment into tourism.
Speaking on Enugu’s tourism potential, Udeh described the state as a gateway to the South-East with cultural festivals, colonial heritage, natural attractions, a vibrant university community and a growing creative economy.
He said stronger storytelling and digital platforms could help bring Enugu’s attractions to a wider audience, while the annual festival could contribute to changing perceptions about domestic tourism and positioning the state as a welcoming destination.
Beyond its economic value, the minister described tourism as an instrument for national integration, arguing that travel allows Nigerians to experience one another’s cultures and build greater understanding.
“Domestic tourism is a national integration project. It is how a country learns to know itself,” he said.
Udeh said increased domestic travel could create jobs, support small businesses and help diversify Nigeria’s economy away from excessive dependence on oil.
He also urged government officials, entrepreneurs, content creators and educators to play practical roles in developing the sector.
While government officials should create policies and partnerships that remove barriers, he said entrepreneurs must identify market gaps and develop solutions, content creators should tell authentic Nigerian stories, and educators should expose young people to the country’s destinations and cultural heritage.
The minister encouraged young Nigerians to view the country’s largely untapped tourism sector as an opportunity to innovate.
“This is not only a problem. It is a blank page, and blank pages belong to those willing to write,” he said.
The three-day DTF 2026 brought together tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs and other industry players to explore opportunities around domestic tourism, technology, innovation and peaceful travel.