The Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has said Nigeria’s heavy reliance on crude oil revenue has stifled the growth of tourism, which he described as one of the country’s most underutilised economic sectors.
Onyema made the remarks at the opening of the Africa Legacy Summit held at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, an event marking the hotel’s 50th anniversary and bringing together stakeholders from aviation, tourism, hospitality, and government.
He argued that several countries without oil resources have built strong economies around tourism, while Nigeria has failed to maximise its own cultural and natural tourism assets due to decades of dependence on oil earnings.
According to him, “oil has become an albatross” because it diverted attention away from other viable sectors that could have driven national development.
The aviation operator commended Eko Hotels for its role in strengthening Nigeria’s hospitality industry, describing it as a major destination for events, tourism, and entertainment.
Onyema also raised concerns over the state of airport infrastructure in the country, warning that inadequate facilities, particularly transit systems, continue to limit Nigeria’s potential as a regional aviation hub.
He questioned the absence of proper hub structures at major airports, saying this weakness discourages international travellers and undermines tourism growth.
The Air Peace boss further identified bird strikes as a recurring operational challenge for airlines, noting that the hazard poses serious safety risks and can disrupt flight operations.
Despite these challenges, he maintained that Nigerian airlines operate under strict regulatory standards and remained committed to aviation safety.
Onyema stated that Air Peace is currently the only airline in West Africa with approval for commercial flights into Europe, adding that it has also maintained six consecutive International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit certifications.
He also criticised what he described as a tendency to undermined local businesses, urging Nigerians to show stronger support for indigenous companies.
According to him, promoting patriotism and local enterprise is essential to unlocking growth in tourism, aviation, and other productive sectors.
Onyema further called for stronger promotion of Nigeria’s cultural diversity, noting that the country’s more than 300 ethnic groups should be leveraged as a tourism asset rather than a source of division.
