The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA)has disclosed that more than 17 million Nigerians travelled abroad between 2023 and 2024, highlighting the significant growth of the country’s outbound travel market.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, made this known during a press conference in Port Harcourt. He attributed the increase to rising demand for international travel for education, healthcare, tourism, religious pilgrimages, and business opportunities.
“The Nigerian travel industry has seen remarkable growth, with over 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023 alone,” Ehiogie said.
NANTA: Over 17 million Nigerians Travelled Abroad Between 2023 and 2024
He added that this surge represents an opportunity for the travel and tourism sector to make a greater impact on the national economy. According to projections, the sector could generate over $12 million in revenue by 2026, up from about $4 million in 2024.
“Travel and tourism have the potential to contribute significantly to the Nigerian economy if properly supported and structured,” he added.
Ehiogie also noted that despite progress in the hospitality industry, challenges such as poor infrastructure and lack of regulatory support continue to limit growth.
“The hospitality industry has come of age, but without an enabling environment, we are holding ourselves back. We must do more to support this sector,” he said.
To help professionalize the industry, NANTA has launched several initiatives, including the establishment of training schools across the eastern region to equip future travel professionals with the skills needed for a competitive market.
“We now have about four to five training institutions in the region. The first set of students will graduate within the next two years,” Ehiogie said. “These schools are essential in building a financially literate and service-oriented workforce for the industry.”
He emphasized that NANTA continues to support airlines and hotels in connecting with customers through structured platforms and events aimed at strengthening partnerships within the sector.
