Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has introduced a new initiative called the “Tourism Reset Agenda” to boost tourism in the state. The plan aims to eliminate barriers, attract investment, and turn the sector into a self-sustaining part of the economy.
According to punchng, speaking at the grand finale of the 2025 International Tourism Summit held at the University of Ibadan’s International Conference Centre, Makinde said the initiative reflects a strategic pivot to reposition tourism as a major economic driver in the state.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the new tourism roadmap includes moving the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the direct supervision of the governor, establishing a Tourism Investor Liaison Unit, and launching a public-facing Tourism Investment Dashboard.
Other components of the agenda include the introduction of a “Tourism Compact” — a five-page MoU template with clear project milestones and timelines — and a commitment to transparent communication.
“A Tourism Investment Dashboard will go live next month, displaying every signed MoU, current status, contact officers and outstanding government commitments. Transparency is not a bonus — it is the new baseline,” the governor declared.
Makinde said the state is aligning tourism development with broader goals of infrastructure renewal, youth employment, community-led conservation, and diaspora engagement.
“With five investment-ready sites — from Eleyele Lake to Idere Hills — we are integrating tourism with urban renewal and sustainable development. The goal is clear: to build a tourism economy that funds itself and funds our future,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the delay in the Agodi Gardens redevelopment project, attributing the setback to institutional bottlenecks, despite the state signing an MoU with an investor in 2024.
“That project has not broken ground. Let us call it what it is — institutional bottlenecks. But they are not issues that cannot be resolved. I assure you, we will move forward with it,” Makinde assured.
The three-day summit, themed “Invest in Heritage, Leave a Legacy,” featured site tours across the Ibadan and Oyo zones, investor pitches, exhibitions, and a panel discussion on “Heritage as Capital: Reimagining Africa’s Cultural Assets for Sustainable Growth.”
Highlights included investment pitches on major tourism assets: Eleyele Lake (“Discover Blue Gold”), Ibadan Cultural Centre (“Stage the Future”), Bower’s Tower (“The View That Pays”), and Idere Hills/Iyake Lake (“Climb into Nature’s ROI”).
The event was attended by top government officials, including Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, and commissioners.
Traditional rulers and members of the Oyo Elders’ Council, including co-chairman Dr. Saka Balogun, also graced the occasion.
Makinde concluded by urging investors to seize the moment: “We are not promising perfection, but we are committing to performance. Let us build a legacy together.”
