Nigerian Tourism Industry: a Value Driver for Employment Generation in Ikeja, lagos state.

ABSTRACT The study examined the Nigerian tourism industry: a value driver for employment generation in Ikeja, Lagos State. Four (4) research questions were raised and literature of other researchers were reviewed. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design and the instrument for data collection was a questionnaire; it was built around the research question by the researcher and validated by the researcher’s supervisor. The questionnaire was structured according to the research questions and distributed to sample size of one hundred (100) respondents drawn from guests and operators of tourism industry in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, was used for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics by means of frequency count, percentage, Mean and standard Deviation. The findings of the study revealed that the Nigerian tourism industry holds significant potential as a key driver for employment generation in Ikeja, Lagos State. With its rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and growing hospitality infrastructure, Ikeja has the opportunity to attract both domestic and international tourists. The development of tourist attractions, such as cultural festivals, local craft markets, and heritage sites, can create jobs in various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, event planning, and retail. Additionally, tourism-related investments in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues not only offer employment opportunities but also stimulate local economies by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that serve the tourism sector. It was however recommended that to enhance Ikeja’s appeal as a tourism hub, there is a need for significant investment in tourism infrastructure such as modern hotels, transport facilities, entertainment venues, and cultural centres. Also, to maximize the employment potential of the tourism industry, there must be a concerted effort to train and upskill the local workforce in areas such as hospitality management, customer service, event coordination, and tour guiding.