Assessment of Ecotourism Demand and Supply Gaps in the North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, encompassing states such as Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, possesses significant ecotourism resources including Kainji Lake National Park, the Gurara Waterfalls, the Lokoja historical confluence, and diverse savanna wildlife areas. Yet ecotourism development in the zone lags behind South West and South South states, reflecting both supply-side infrastructure deficiencies and uncharacterized visitor demand. This study empirically assesses ecotourism demand and supply gaps across the North Central zone through a multi-site investigation. On the supply side, infrastructure audits, visitor statistics analysis, and management interviews were conducted at six sites across four states. On the demand side, a structured survey of 400 potential domestic ecotourists was conducted in Abuja, Lokoja, and Ilorin. Demand-side results indicate high latent interest in nature-based tourism, with scenic landscapes, wildlife viewing, and cultural heritage being the most valued attributes. Key demand constraints include limited site awareness, poor road access, and lack of reliable accommodation. Supply-side audits reveal significant variation in infrastructure quality, with Kainji Lake and Gurara Falls showing the strongest baseline assets. The study provides a gap analysis matrix linking specific demand preferences to supply-side deficiencies at each site and recommends a targeted investment sequencing plan for each state. Keywords: ecotourism demand, ecotourism supply, North Central Nigeria, gap analysis, nature-based tourism