LIFE IN TOLU-TOLU DESERT, NIGERIA
In Nigeria, everything has a home. The Carmel finds its comfort among the Sahara Desert of Tulo Tulo with its rider.
This is not Dubai. This is Tulotulo Village In Yusufari Local Government Area Of Yobe State.
Most Northern states in Nigeria are in the Sahel Savannah, which puts them close to the Sahara Desert. This means the same experiences of sand dune bashing, camel riding, and having entertainment with a buffet or picnic that you get in the Dubai desert, can be gotten right here in Nigeria. And at a cheaper cost, you can replicate those experiences in an actual Nigerian oasis!
Beside the annual Calabar carnival seen to have been attracting lots of tourist to Nigeria, tourism in Nigeria hasn't been greatly explored, and everyone knows why.
On yearly basis, thousands of Nigerians travel to Dubai for tourism. What could be the reason? I asked myself. Is there something Dubai is doing that we are not getting right? hell No! Dubai is simply exploring her best environment for business purpose. We can't curb unemployment without trying to maximize our God-given human resources. If you check the latest Nigerian Jobs today, either latest Nigeria Jobs by States, or latest Nigeria Jobs by industries, you will observe that 90% of the total available positions are mostly jobs not related to tourism. This simply goes a long way to tell you that tourism in Nigeria is under explored.
Beside oil, Dubai generates billions of dollars from tourism alone and i feel this can be replicated in the Nigerian economy, considering the fact that Nigerians make up a good percentage of their tourists. You could be asking the reason for this post; well, it is not far from what birthed the title anyway.
"Tulo-Tulo" simply means marshy land with abundant water. The village is located in low valley and surrounded by palm trees between five hills. Tulo-Tulowa came into existence about a century ago when nomadic rearers from Geidam Local Government migrated there in search of greener pastures.
The settlement is located near an OASIS on the Desert Island, and about 105km north of Nguru at the desert fingers bordering the Republic of Niger. The village has other Oasis with reddish undulating landscape, giving it magnificent picturesque scenery.
Tulo-Tulowa is endowed with fertile soil and rich mineral resources. Potash, which is also known as black salt (Kanwa) is available in commercial quantities. Camel caravans could be seen conveying potash to Geidam and Gashua to be exchanged for food stuff. It recalls to memory the ancient Trans-Saharan Trade. Accessibility to Tulo-Tulowa is by 4-wheel drive vehicles.
If you intend to visit, know that desert temperatures soar from April to May and harmattan winds make the desert very cool from November to February. The town may not be ideal for a sleepover. But if domestic tourists frequently visit the place, things will change. It will motivate private investors to set up the necessary infrastructure to enable more tourists access to the bare minimum needed for an amazing experience.
The Oasis of Yusufari is not yet an official tourist hotspot, but it can be if it gets viral publicity. If we did it for Sumu Wildlife Park, we can do it for the Yusufari Oasis.
My take: Yobe will Make millions of dollars yearly, if this beautiful site can be optimally utilized and turned into an exquisite desert resort. Nigerians spend millions to tour places like this in Dubai, when we can develop our own and save costs.
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