Nigeria’s travel and tourism sector must be elevated to a strategic economic priority if the nation is to unlock its full potential, according to the CEO of Mondiloh Global Limited, Monday Achoja Oghenechovwe.

Oghenechovwe, in a statement, argued that Nigeria was yet to fully recognise the scale of opportunities tourism presents for job creation, cultural diplomacy, and foreign exchange earnings.

“Our tourism potential is vast, but we cannot afford to keep leaving it untapped,” he said.

Oghenechovwe said he has been at the forefront of delivering exceptional travel facilitation services, promoting tourism, and enabling cultural exchange programmes for the nation’s growth.

Speaking on the economic benefits of tourism, Oghenechovwe stressed the need for government to view travel and tourism as part of Nigeria’s economic recovery plan, saying, “We can’t keep depending solely on oil when we have natural wonders, rich history, and vibrant cultural heritage that the world wants to see.”

He believes Nigeria should learn from countries that have successfully leveraged tourism for national growth, adding, “From the UAE to South Africa, we see how deliberate policies, infrastructure development, and marketing campaigns can transform the sector into a major contributor to GDP.”

Mondiloh Global Limited’s cultural exchange programmes are tailored to not only give Nigerians exposure abroad but also to bring international visitors into local communities. According to Oghenechovwe, these engagements help to correct stereotypes and promote a more accurate understanding of Nigeria’s diversity and potential.

The CEO emphasised that the private sector cannot work in isolation, saying, “Partnership between government, private players, and communities is critical. We need visa reforms, safer tourist routes, and world-class hospitality facilities.”

He explained that stakeholders must also invest in training the next generation of tourism professionals, saying, his advocacy goes beyond policy discussions, he is actively building models that show what’s possible.

The tourism enthusiast noted that his agency’s projects demonstrate how sustainable tourism can benefit host communities while providing visitors with memorable, respectful, and enriching experiences.

Oghenechovwe said his company has built a reputation for precision, professionalism, and a client-first approach that ensures repeat patronage from individuals, institutions, and corporate bodies.

He also worked with Fabrizio Carlotto S.p.A. Acciai Stampati, an Italian fabrication company, where he said the experience gained added a valuable international dimension to his expertise and deepened his understanding of how cross-border business relationships can thrive through effective travel facilitation and meaningful cultural engagement.

He said under his leadership, Mondiloh Global Limited has grown into more than just a ticketing agency, but a bridge between cultures, facilitating study tours, professional exchanges, and heritage tourism that strengthen Nigeria’s image abroad while attracting visitors to explore its own diverse landscapes.

In an era when global travel is rebounding after the pandemic, Oghenechovwe sees a window of opportunity for Nigeria to claim its place on the map of sought-after destinations, assuming that “If we act now, the benefits will multiply for decades. If we delay, we’ll keep watching others reap the rewards,” he warned.

He said his passion drives his commitment to blend entrepreneurship with public advocacy, championing a vision of Nigeria that not only facilitates the movement of people across borders but also propels itself forward through the transformative power of tourism.