Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared a major shift in the state’s approach to tourism development, unveiling a comprehensive Tourism Reset Agenda at the 2025 International Tourism Summit held at the University of Ibadan.
The summit held yesterday, July 24, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Delivering the keynote address at the event themed “Invest in Heritage, Leave a Legacy”, Governor Makinde described tourism as a strategic lever for development, rather than an afterthought.
He emphasized that the new agenda is geared towards building a self-sustaining tourism economy capable of funding the state’s future.
“This is a serious business. Oyo State must no longer be left behind in the tourism conversation,” Makinde affirmed.
The governor outlined five executive-level commitments designed to streamline investment and policy implementation in the tourism sector to include direct executive oversight, tourism investor liaison unit, the tourism compact, transparent communication, and community-linked growth.
Governor Makinde called on both local and international investors to bring forward their “best ideas and execution capacity,” emphasizing that the state currently has five investment-ready tourism sites, including Eleyele Lake, Idere Hills, Bower’s Tower, Iyake Suspended Lake, and the Ibadan Cultural Centre.
During the summit, several high-level presentations showcased the tourists sites including Eleyele Lake – “Discover Blue Gold” by Mr Tilewa Folami, DG, OYSIPA, Ibadan Cultural Centre – “Stage the Future” by Dr Debo Akande, Bower’s Tower – “The View That Pays” by Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi, and Idere Hills & Iyake Lake – “Climb into Nature’s RoI” by Ms Neo Theodore Tlhaselo.
The three-day summit featured tours of tourism zones, panel discussions, exhibitions, and pitch presentations.
A highlight was a panel on “Heritage as Capital: Reimagining Africa’s Cultural Assets for Sustainable Growth,” where experts stressed the value of heritage in unlocking cross-border economic potential.
Governor Makinde further clarified issues around delayed projects like Agodi Gardens, attributing the setback to institutional bottlenecks and assuring stakeholders that the challenges would be resolved to allow the project to proceed.
“We are not promising perfection. We are committing to performance and choosing transparency over theatrics,” Makinde said, urging hesitant investors to take action now.
Highlight climaxing the three days event was the governor’s dinner and award night where dignitaries and participants were hosted to a sumptuous evening.
Famous Nollywood Movie producer, actor and filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan and other distinguished individuals who have made laudable impacts in the culture and tourism promotion through their crafts and professions were presented with various categories of awards.
The summit was attended by a cross-section of stakeholders, including Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, SSG, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, Commissioners and Special Advisers, and Dr. Saka Balogun, Co-Chairman, Oyo State Elders’ Council.
Other dignitaries in attendance were traditional rulers and cultural leaders across the state.