Evaluation of Tourism Awareness Among Secondary School Students in Kano State, North West Nigeria

This study evaluates the level of tourism awareness among secondary school students in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Despite Nigeria's abundant natural and cultural tourism resources, awareness and appreciation of these assets remain limited among younger demographics, particularly in the northern regions. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, targeting senior secondary school students in three local government areas of Kano metropolis. A sample of 250 students is selected through stratified random sampling and data are collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics including percentages and mean values are used for analysis. Findings indicate that the majority of students have limited formal exposure to tourism education, with most awareness derived from informal social media sources rather than school curricula. Cultural heritage sites such as Kofar Mata Dye Pits and Gidan Makama Museum are recognised by fewer than half of the respondents. The study identifies inadequate integration of tourism content in school syllabi as a key barrier. It recommends that the Kano State Ministry of Education incorporate tourism studies into secondary school curricula and that the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation collaborate with schools to organise guided excursions to heritage sites. These interventions are expected to cultivate a tourism-conscious younger generation capable of supporting the long-term growth of the sector. Keywords: tourism awareness, secondary school students, cultural heritage, Kano, Nigeria