Travel/Tourism
Delta State – Hospitality, the New Crude Oil
Anthony Elikene
The hospitality sector is gradually becoming the mainstay of many economies in the world and from the looks of it, it might also become the economic pillar of oil-rich economies such as Nigeria.
There are many states in the country that can effectively run-on revenue generated from hospitality. Delta State is one of such states.
With an estimation of over 4,112,445 people, a close gender balance of 2,069,309, male, and 2,043,136, female population, Delta State is considered one of the most endowed in Nigeria.
Known as The Big Heart but the real popularity of the state comes from its being an oil-producing state in the Niger-Delta region.
In the latest data on 13 per cent derivation sharing, Delta State ranked first with 31 per cent of N94.4 billion from a total of N302.8 billion, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2019 report.
But with the instability of global pricing for crude, it becomes imperative for the state and in extension, the country, to start ‘making hay while the sun shines’ in other lucrative sectors to weather future instabilities in the oil sector.
Fortunately, Delta State is also famous for its richness in diverse cultures and agricultural prowess. These alternative potentials can become the state’s economic mainstay if developed, especially as the hospitality sector.
According to travelnews.online, an online travel magazine, “Nigeria has over 11,000 hotels” and a considerable amount of these hotels are in Delta State. The accommodation sector alone is estimated to employ over 2 million direct and about a million indirect jobs in Nigeria.
The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) between January 2013 and January 2014 generated N197,599,911,988, which is about 80 per cent of all international airlines ticket sales in the country.
With the commissioning of the Warri-Itakpe railway line that runs through Agbor, connecting three states: Delta, Kogi, and Edo States, eventually, it will also connect the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Delta State should brace up for the flood of private sector development that is expected to overrun the state.
The rail line alone has projected an annual commuter figure of about one million people. This means more people will make stopovers at different locations and sales are expected to rise at such locations.
In a publication on the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) website, Executive Director, West Africa, BON Hotels, Paul Umoh, said: “In 2017, tourism statistics reflected a growth of 140.2 per cent from 2016. And from 2015 to 2016, 130.3 per cent the increase was seen. Two years prior, the statistics were in decline. Now, however, more people are visiting the country for business and leisure, and investors are seeing the increased potential in the region.”
“The hospitality industry in Nigeria has predominantly been concentrated in larger cities such as Lagos and Abuja. By expanding into smaller cities across multiple regions, we will dramatically increase the potential for business and leisure travel throughout the country,” explains Umoh. In 2016 BON Hotel acquired the Protea Hotel in Delta State.
Delta State also plays host to the largest waterpark in West Africa, Park Vega Waterpark, located in Agbor. The rest of the tourism world has gone far ahead as many in Nigeria still wonder what the waterpark is in 2020.
Quoting from a 2015 report conducted by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the waterpark was defined as a facility with “at least four of the following attractions considered essential to a waterpark such as toddlers’/children’s play area, tube slide, lazy river, body flume, wave pool, tipping bucket play area, speed slide, family raft slide, mat racer slide, spray ground, still-water lagoon pool, action river, water coaster or a surfing simulator.
Designed for family and friends, couples and individual, to bond, Park Vega Waterpark attends to the young and the young at heart as they experience wow moments and create memories that last a lifetime together.
The park is a fun place to go as a family with several facilities that thrills the kids, toddlers, teenagers, and adults such as Space hole slide, Multi-surf slide, Freefall slide, Blackhole slide, Aquatower, splash pad, Attraction pool, relax pool that has a bar, and a restaurant that serves delicious food.
How Can Delta State Benefit from a Waterpark Located in the State?
When residents of other states visit the park in Delta State, it would be a net gain for Delta but a net loss for the other states who had people leaving to visit Delta. But it would be gainful for Nigeria as the taxes and trade inspired by the park are still within the country.
This is why the federal government and Delta State government should encourage such investments in the hospitality sector that has a rippling effect by offering tax rebates and holidays just like other countries that operate waterparks.
In the United States, Kentucky offers eligible tourist attractions sales rebates up to 25 per cent. The state understands some tourists may not have visited the state if it was not for the waterpark.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions said in 2011 nearly 30,000 attractions in the United States generated $211 billion in economic activity. America’s local and regional public park agencies generated nearly $140 billion in economic activity and supported almost 1 million jobs from their operations and capital spending alone in 2013.
Studies have revealed that residents prefer to live in proximity to a park. The National Association of Home Builders says the presence of parks influences 65 per cent of homebuyers. Another study in 2001 by the National Association of Realtors found that 50 per cent of survey respondents were more likely to choose a neighbourhood near parks and are willing to pay more to be located close to a park.
Generation of new jobs – The state can benefit immensely as waterparks are known worldwide to create a lot of direct and indirect jobs wherever they are located.
Development of infrastructure – Research has shown that infrastructural development around waterparks is very fast as everyone wants to key into the business buzz created by the waterpark.
Improve the image of the destination – Normally unknown locations gets on the map the moment a waterpark is built in the area. Because waterparks are usually constructed in places considered as outskirts for reasons such as space, low traffic, easy access, and others, the waterpark tends to add reputational value to the location.
Increase tourism – Waterparks have been known to benefit tourists’ businesses such as hotel, entertainment, lounges, restaurants amongst others. This helps the local communities and the state, in the long run, to grow its tourist potentials using the waterpark as a platform.
Economic benefits for having a waterpark in Delta state
There will be more business transactions in the surrounding communities as they cash into the bee-hive of activities created. This will eventually transcend to more revenue being generated by the local government and the state government.
Transport Sector – The aviation industry, the new rail line that has just been commissioned by the Federal Government in Delta State and surrounding states, the road transporters are all expected to benefit from the window of an opportunity opened by the waterpark located in Delta State.
Political scorecard – Waterpark is a major capital-intensive project and a great scorecard used by politicians to highlight infrastructural achievements. In The United States alone, there are over one thousand waterparks, each attracting its infrastructural development, and influencing positive reputation to grow the location they operate.
The state government benefits from these developments and only need to create the favourable climate for waterparks to thrive.
Delta State is blessed with several locations that can be developed to become a major tourist and hospitality venue capable of attracting guests from within and outside the country.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced plans to introduce the new biometric emergency travel document, the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), by 2026 as part of reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s immigration processes and strengthening border security.
Initially revealed in November, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nandap, speaking on Monday in Abuja during the decoration of 46 newly promoted Assistant Comptrollers of Immigration (ACIs) to the rank of Comptrollers of Immigration, said the proposed STEP would replace the current Single Travel Emergency Certificate (STEC) and is designed to enhance efficiency, security, and global acceptability of Nigeria’s emergency travel documentation.
She explained that the new emergency passport would be biometric-based and deployed through alternative, technology-driven platforms to ensure seamless service delivery.
“I’m looking forward to embracing 2026, which will also be part of all the reforms we’re doing to ensure that we optimise our services, in terms of visas, passport production lines and our contactless solutions,” she said.
The NIS boss noted that the STEP is one of several technology-driven innovations being rolled out by the Service to improve operational efficiency and meet its constitutional mandate.
She also highlighted the recent introduction of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), describing it as a critical step towards seamless regional integration and secure cross-border movement within West Africa.
“We want to ensure that our processes are seamless. The STEP, which we are going to launch early next year, is another key programme that will further strengthen our service delivery,” Nandap added.
The Comptroller General charged the newly decorated officers to demonstrate heightened vigilance, professionalism, and integrity, particularly in light of Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges.
“Your decoration today symbolises the trust reposed in you and carries with it expectations of enhanced leadership, sound judgement, accountability and exemplary conduct,” she said.
Mrs Nandap stressed that officers at senior levels must combine professional competence with strong leadership qualities, including clarity of vision, decisiveness, empathy, and the ability to mentor and inspire subordinates.
“Considering the current security challenges our nation faces, we must remain vigilant and unrelenting in the fight against multifaceted threats. Your actions will set the tone and reflect the core values and reputation of this Service,” she warned.
She reaffirmed the Service’s zero tolerance for indolence and unprofessional conduct, urging officers to embrace innovation, adapt to emerging challenges, and place the interest of the NIS above personal considerations.
The idea of spending retirement in France comes up often — sometimes because of the climate, sometimes because of the healthcare system, and sometimes simply because of the way everyday life is organised there. But once the initial appeal fades, a practical question usually follows: under what conditions can a retiree actually live in France legally?
The short answer is: it’s possible.
The longer answer requires a closer look.
No “retirement visa,” but a workable solution
Unlike some countries, France does not offer a dedicated retirement visa. This often comes as a surprise. In practice, however, most retired foreigners settle in France under the long-stay visitor visa — a residence status that is not tied to age or professional background.
The logic behind it is straightforward: France allows people to live in the country if they do not intend to work and can support themselves financially. For this reason, the visitor visa is used not only by retirees, but by other financially independent residents as well.
Income matters more than age
When an application is reviewed, age itself is rarely decisive. Financial stability is.
French authorities do not publish a fixed minimum income requirement. What they assess instead is whether the applicant has sufficient and reliable resources to live in France without relying on public assistance. This usually includes:
- a state or private pension;
- additional regular income;
- personal savings.
In practice, the clearer and more predictable the income, the stronger the application.
Housing is not a formality
Relocation is not possible without a confirmed place to live. A hotel booking or short-term accommodation is usually not enough.
Applicants are expected to show that they:
- have secured long-term rental housing;
- own property in France;
- or will legally reside with a host who can provide accommodation.
This is one of the most closely examined aspects of the application — and one of the most common reasons for refusal.
Healthcare: private coverage first
At the time of application, retirees must hold private health insurance valid in France and covering essential medical risks. This requirement is non-negotiable.
Access to France’s public healthcare system may become possible after a period of legal residence, but this depends on individual circumstances, length of stay, and administrative status. It is not automatic.
What the process usually looks like
Moving to France is rarely a single step. More often, it unfolds as a sequence:
- applying for a long-stay visa in the country of residence;
- entering France;
- completing administrative registration;
- residing legally for the duration of the visa;
- applying for renewal.
The initial status is typically granted for up to one year. Continued residence depends on meeting the same conditions.
Restrictions people often overlook
Living in France under a visitor visa comes with clear limitations:
- working in France is prohibited;
- income from French sources is not allowed;
- social benefits are not part of this status.
These are not temporary inconveniences, but core conditions of residence.
Looking further ahead
Long-term legal residence can, over time, open the door to a more permanent status, such as long-term residency. In theory, citizenship may also be possible, though it requires meeting additional criteria, including language proficiency and integration.
For many retirees, however, the goal is simpler: to live quietly and legally, without having to change status every few months.
Moving to France after retirement is not about a special programme or age-based privilege. It is a question of preparation, financial resources, and understanding the rules. For those with stable income and no intention to work, France offers a lawful and relatively predictable way to settle long-term.
No promises of shortcuts — but no closed doors either.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United States President Donald Trump has imposed a partial travel restriction on Nigeria, as part of a series of new actions, citing security concerns.
The latest travel restriction will affect new Nigerians hoping to travel to the US, as it cites security concerns and difficulties in vetting nationals.
The travel restrictions also affect citizens of other African as well as Black-majority Caribbean nations.
This development comes months after the American President threatened to invade the country over perceived persecution against Christians.
President Trump had already fully banned the entry of Somalis as well as citizens of Afghanistan, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Sudan, and Yemen.
The countries newly subject to partial restrictions, besides Nigeria, are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Angola, Senegal and Zambia have all been prominent US partners in Africa, with former president Joe Biden hailing the three for their commitment to democracy.
In the proclamation, the White House alleged high crime rates from some countries on the blacklist and problems with routine record-keeping for passports.
The White House acknowledged “significant progress” by one initially targeted country, Turkmenistan.
The Central Asian country’s nations will once again be able to secure US visas, but only as non-immigrants.
The US president, who has long campaigned to restrict immigration and has spoken in increasingly strident terms, moved to ban foreigners who “intend to threaten” Americans, the White House said.
He also wants to prevent foreigners in the United States who would “undermine or destabilize its culture, government, institutions or founding principles,” a White House proclamation said.
Other countries newly subjected to the full travel ban came from some of Africa’s poorest countries — Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone and South Sudan — as well as Laos in southeast Asia.
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