BONNY ISLAND—
Bonny Island, historically known as Okoloama Kingdom, is positioning itself to become one of Nigeria’s most distinctive and internationally recognised tourism destinations, building on its rich history, vibrant culture, maritime heritage, natural beauty and hospitable people.
The emerging destination vision was at the centre of the 2026 Bonny Island Tourism and Investment Summit, organised by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BCCIMA) under the theme, “Bonny Island: Transforming into a Premier Global Destination.”
Representing the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr Olayiwola Awakan GrPr, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with the Bonny Kingdom, the Rivers State Government, traditional institutions, local communities, investors and development partners to unlock the island’s vast tourism and investment potential, and there is indeed much to build upon.
Bonny’s strategic island location, centuries-old maritime history, traditional institutions, cultural heritage, festivals, cuisine, waterways, beaches, music, arts and coastal and mangrove ecosystems provide a remarkable foundation for the development of a world-class destination.
The task ahead, however, is to transform these individual assets into a coherent and compelling destination experience — one that encourages visitors to stay longer, spend more, return and share their experiences with others.
This will require sustained investment in connectivity, accommodation, visitor facilities, entertainment, events, cultural experiences, safety and security, digital visibility, destination marketing and tourism infrastructure.
Sustainability at the Heart of Development
As Bonny moves towards greater tourism development, sustainability must remain at the heart of the process. The island’s fragile coastal and mangrove ecosystems, waterways, land, traditions and cultural heritage constitute some of its greatest tourism assets. Their protection must therefore go hand in hand with infrastructure development and investment.
Tourism development should not come at the expense of Bonny’s environment or cultural identity. Rather, it should create a model where economic development, environmental protection and cultural preservation reinforce one another. For the people of Bonny, tourism must also mean much more than an increase in visitors.
It should create employment, strengthen local businesses, empower young people and women, preserve culture and heritage, attract infrastructure, stimulate entrepreneurship and open new economic opportunities. Most importantly, the people of Bonny must remain the beneficiaries, custodians and ambassadors of their destination.
Reclaiming the Okoloama Identity
His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William-Dappa Pepple III, Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, highlighted the kingdom’s remarkable history of trade, diplomacy and maritime relations, noting that its waterways, beaches, festivals, regattas, historic sites, cuisine, music, arts and traditions provide a strong foundation for a thriving tourism economy.
The monarch also emphasised the importance of ensuring that investment and development are undertaken responsibly, with respect for Bonny’s land, waterways, traditions, heritage and community values.
During the panel session, the NTDA Director-General further underscored the importance of telling Bonny’s story through the voices, heritage and experiences of its people.
He advocated greater use of the name Okoloama Kingdom in describing Bonny Island, stressing that the name reflects the historical identity, heritage and story of its people.
This cultural identity could become an important component of the destination’s international positioning, giving Bonny a distinctive narrative within Nigeria’s and Africa’s tourism landscape.
Tourism as an Engine of Local Development
The President of BCCIMA, Dr Constance Nwokejiobi, also highlighted Bonny’s enormous tourism potential and strategic position, noting that tourism can become a powerful driver of local economic development, job creation, cultural preservation and investment.
The summit therefore served not only as a platform for dialogue but also as a call to action for government, the private sector, traditional institutions, communities and investors to work together in shaping Bonny’s tourism future.
Launch of Discover Bonny
A major highlight of the summit was the official launch of Discover Bonny, an initiative dedicated to telling Bonny’s story, showcasing its culture, heritage, attractions, experiences and investment opportunities, while changing the way the destination is perceived by audiences in Nigeria and around the world.
The initiative comes at an important moment as Bonny seeks to move from being known primarily for its historical and economic significance to being recognised as a destination for culture, leisure, heritage, adventure, investment and authentic coastal experiences.
There is a much bigger story to tell about Bonny — a story of heritage, culture, resilience, enterprise, maritime history and hospitality. The journey towards positioning Bonny Island, or Okoloama Kingdom, as a premier global tourism destination has begun.
With strategic collaboration, responsible investment, strong destination branding, community participation and sustainable tourism development, Bonny has the potential to emerge as one of Nigeria’s and Africa’s most remarkable coastal tourism destinations.The opportunity is no longer simply to visit Bonny.
It is to discover Okoloama, experience its heritage, invest in its future and become part of its story.
