Nigeria has been urged to take serious cues from China’s massive investments in cultural preservation and museum tourism. The call comes as global tourism figures show how historical sites can become powerhouse revenue generators when properly maintained, according to Daily Trust.
The focus turns to Xi’an in China, home of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, which was created after Qin Shi Huang unified the country in 221 BC. The ancient emperor commissioned the underground army of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots to guard him in eternity. First uncovered by local well-diggers in 1974, the location later earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1987.
The economic numbers coming out of the site underline the scale of the opportunity. The Terracotta Warriors Museum pulled in more than 10 million visitors in 2025 alone. Across the wider city of Xi’an, tourism earnings reached about 376 billion Chinese yuan in 2024, supported by hotels, transport, restaurants, and cultural entertainment built around the landmark.
Nigeria sits on an equally valuable goldmine of heritage that could transform local economies if given similar priority. The country boasts ancient treasures such as the famous Nok terracotta sculptures, renowned Benin bronze pieces, the ancient Kano and Zaria city walls, the Sukur Cultural Landscape, and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
To achieve similar success, stakeholders stress that Nigeria must move past neglect and actively invest in archaeological research, conservation infrastructure, modern visitor amenities, and overall destination marketing. Turning Nigeria's rich historical legacy into functional attractions could create widespread employment opportunities and drive domestic business growth across host communities.
