NIGERIAN ECONOMY WITHOUT OIL: THE IMPERATIVE OF RETHINKING TOURISM IN ABIA STATE

Abstract

Nigeria is a mono-cultural economy with crude oil and gas contributing over 80% to the GDP. The oil boom of 70s and further discovery of oils in other regions blinded the policy thrust towards oil to the detriment of tourism and other sectors of the economy. This is in spite of the enormous potentials of tourism that is driving the global economy. Using a qualitative method of inquiry, this study interrogated the prospect of Nigeria surviving without oil. The interrogation brings into focus the need to turn to tourism, rethink same in an inclusive manner. The study found out the challenges constraining the full development of tourism sector rest on lack of political will amidst other challenges. To this end, the paper suggests that exploring the tourism potentials of every state especially, in Abia State is salient to Nigerian economy surviving without oil.