International Journal of Islamic Business & Management Vol. 2, No. 1; 2018 Published by Centre for Research on Islamic Banking & Finance and Business 1 Socio-Economic Assessment of Religious Tourism in Nigeria Emmanuel O. Okon 1 1 Department of Economics, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria Correspondence: Department of Economics, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria, E-mail: tonydom57@yahoo.com. Tel: +2348023275716 Received: January 8, 2018 Accepted: January 12, 2018 Online Published: January 19, 2018 Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the socio-economic impact of religious tourism in Nigeria. Data for this study are from secondary sources and it covers 2000-2011. The technique of content analysis was used to analyze the contents of these materials. The paper reveals that the springing up of different Pentecostal Churches across the country and the various conventions and festivals being held annually and quarterly by this churches have virtually increase the numbers of arrivals from overseas countries who visit the country to attend various religious programs. This has generated employment for the inhabitants of the areas; religious tourism has become the highest earner of foreign exchange for the country's tourism industry even though tourism industry is still in embryonic stages and has not yet assumed a significant position in Nigeria‘s GDP pie. This paper recommends that the hospitality industry should upgrade existing facilities while the government should construct or upgrade to international standards roads leading to major cities and rural areas and needs to provide basic amenities in tourism destinations. At the local government level, inventory of all tourist sites and festivals in different localities should be published so as to bring these tourist sites into limelight. All religious communities must educate their clergy on the need for religious harmony and the toleration of other faiths. Keywords: Religion, Festival, Religious Tourism. 1. Introduction The international tourism industry has become a global economic force, generating significant revenues and contributing directly and indirectly to national economies. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) indicates that in 2002, 703 million tourists travelled across international boundaries, generating over US$ 474 billion in revenues. In its tourism growth forecast, Tourism: 2020 Vision, the WTO also predicts that the tourism sector will grow by an average of 4.1% per year over the next two decades, surpassing a total of 1billion international tourists by the year 2010. Projections for the year 2020 indicate that tourist arrivals will grow to around 1.6 billion with earnings of up to US$ 2 trillion (Milne and Ateljevic, 2001; Neto, 2002; NEPAD, 2004, p.3). The main reasons for travelling are leisure, businesses, conventions and seminars, meetings, study abroad, religion purposes as well as sports or games. Religious tourism is among the least explored tourist activities in the world of modern tourism. In recent years, religious tourism has been on the increase with a growing number of people visiting historic places in developed countries. This is attributed to the fact that religious obligations has become a fashionable trend all over the world as a means of expressing beliefs and faith in the ability of God to protect and guide mankind. It would amount to stating the most obvious that religious practices both under the auspices of Christianity, Islam and traditional practices have in no small way contributed to the development tourism in the world. It is a known fact the Christian pilgrimages to Israel has formed an economic platform for the empowerment of the localities and contributed to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. Also, in the Saudi Arabia, where many Islamic faithful converge twice every year for religious rituals, it has been of tremendous economic benefit to the country and her people. With these scenarios and many others around the world, it has become valid that religious tourism can become a source of economic revival to a country and its people. Religious tourism is practiced to a considerable degree not only in the developed countries, but also in developing countries insofar as disposable income allows the upper and middle classes to travel (Vukonic, 1998). However, in