The Nigerian government is turning to data and strategic private sector partnerships to drive its ambitious Destination 2030 agenda, with the iconic Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort serving as a model of integrated tourism and economic development.
At the heart of the recent Destination 2030 Data Platform Strategic Retreat, held at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Center, key players from government and the private sector explored actionable ways to transform Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy using robust data, infrastructure investment, and community engagement.
Chairman of Cavista Holdings, Dr. John Olajide, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving national development goals. “There is something that we all have in common, every one of us. And that is, we have a passion for Nigeria. We have a passion that Nigeria can be all that we aspire for it to be.
And the reality is no one person can do it alone. That is why we invited the Honourable Minister and her team. . And we know with your help and support, and your team’s help and support, we can go very, very far.
Olajide noted that Cavista Holdings is already driving impact in Ekiti through job creation and agritourism, stressing that the company’s work reflects its mission to create value and transform lives.
He added that Agbeyewa Farms, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings has 1500 indigenes in its employ stating that it is currently the largest private sector employer in Ekiti State.
“We have 1,500 people employed at our farms, at Agbeyewa Farms. It is the largest cassava farm in Nigeria. And by the end of the year, it will be the largest cassava farm in all of Africa, right here in Ekiti State” he said.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, praised the initiative at Ikogosi as a prime example of low-hanging fruit for effective government collaboration. “You’ve built an ecosystem that empowers the community — that alone drives economic development, tourism, agriculture, and even security,” she said.
She emphasized the urgent need for data to guide investment and decision-making in the sector. “One of the reasons tourism hasn’t received adequate attention is the lack of data. If we want informed policy, investor confidence, and sector growth, we must build a solid data foundation,” Musawa stated.
The Minister assured full government backing, announcing plans to take the Ikogosi project to the Federal Executive Council for national adoption. “We’ll work with other MDAs and state governments to make access seamless. Ikogosi is ready — now it’s about bringing the world here,” she said, adding that the ministry plans to host two major tourism events at Ikogosi in 2025.
As Nigeria charts its path toward Destination 2030, Ikogosi Warm Springs is emerging as a flagship for what’s possible: data-driven policy, community-led development, and effective public-private synergy.
