The management of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Center in Ekiti State has revealed that it has invested close to $200,000 in renewable energy infrastructure, a move expected to generate annual savings of more than N513 million while supporting the resort’s sustainability agenda and operational efficiency.
Speaking during an interview at the resort, the General Manager of Glocient Hospitality, Lanre Balogun, said the investment forms part of a broader transformation strategy aimed at turning the iconic tourism asset into a profitable and globally competitive destination.
According to Balogun, Glocient Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Cavista Holdings, took over the management of the resort with a vision to revive neglected tourism assets and transform them into viable businesses and national treasures.
“Our goal at Glocient is to transform moribund assets and dead tourist attractions in Nigeria into profitable businesses and national treasures. Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort is a blueprint of what is possible,” he said.
Balogun explained that the renewable energy project now provides up to 12 hours of electricity daily and has significantly reduced the resort’s dependence on diesel-powered generators.
“When you came here last year, we had diesel as our backup. Today, we have invested close to $200,000 in renewable energy. Based on our financial analysis using our 500kVA generator as a benchmark, the savings alone amount to over N513 million annually,” he disclosed.
He noted that the transformation of the resort has been executed entirely by Nigerian professionals, artisans, and technical experts, demonstrating the country’s capacity to deliver world-class hospitality projects without foreign expertise.
“It will interest you to know that every transformation you see here was done by Nigerians. Nigerian expertise, Nigerian skills, Nigerian artisans. No foreign experts were involved,” Balogun said.
The hospitality executive also highlighted the socio-economic impact of the resort on its host community, revealing that the facility currently employs more than 230 workers, with women accounting for nearly 70 percent of the workforce.
“We have employed over 230 staff. Almost 70 percent of our staff are female, while more than 60 percent are from the host community,” he stated.
Balogun praised the Ekiti State Government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment for private investment and tourism development, noting that improved accessibility has enhanced the resort’s attractiveness to visitors.
He pointed out that Ikogosi is strategically located within 50 minutes of both Akure Airport and the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, making it easily accessible to domestic and international tourists.
Beyond its hospitality offerings, Balogun described Ikogosi as a model for sustainable tourism. He said the resort operates an environmentally friendly ecosystem where spring water is supplied directly to guest rooms, locally grown vegetables are used in meal preparation, and food waste is recycled as livestock feed.
“The water guests drink and use in their rooms is pure spring water. We grow many of the vegetables consumed here, and even food waste is converted into livestock feed. It is a complete sustainable ecosystem,” he explained.
Balogun also called on Nigerians to promote the country’s tourism assets more positively, arguing that destinations such as Ikogosi possess unique attractions capable of competing with leading tourism destinations across Africa.
He said the famous confluence of warm and cold springs flowing side by side remains one of Nigeria’s most remarkable natural wonders and a testament to the country’s tourism potential.
“Nigeria is a beautiful place, and Ikogosi is proof of that. We need to tell our story better and promote our tourism assets to the world,” he added.
