Nigeria optimistic about economic prospects despite recession

In spite of the difficulties posed by the current recession, the future of Nigeria's economy is bright, an official said Tuesday.

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, gave the reassurance at the celebration of the World Tourism Day 2016 at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.

Mohammed said the multi-million U.S. dollars city, being built wholly by private investors on sand-filled land recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, is a testimony to his assertion of better days ahead.

"It takes an investor to have a great confidence in any economy before putting hundreds of millions of dollars into a city like this," he added.

"Those who can see the bright stars in our horizon beyond this temporary cloud of difficulties are investing in the country even as we speak," he said.

Mohammed appealed to investors to help turn the nation's numerous tourist sites to tourist attractions, adding that Nigeria is rich in natural and man-made tourist destinations.

He said government would continue to invest massively in infrastructural development for more tourist sites to become accessible to all.

Mohammed said World Tourism day, held annually on Sept. 27 for the last quarter of a century, is meant to foster awareness of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic impact.

He reiterated that tourism and the creative industry represent the new oil for the Nigerian economy diversification program.

"Agriculture and mining are viable options, but tourism is the low hanging fruit in this regard, and we must not hesitate to pluck it," he said. Endit