Makinde: Oyo State is primed to become West Africa’s tourism hub - ITREALMS

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Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has declared that Oyo State is on a definitive path to becoming the tourism capital of South-West Nigeria, citing a strategic shift from "personality-driven" projects to "system-driven" governance, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking on Wednesday at the International Tourism Summit Oyo State 2026, held at the University of Ibadan, Makinde emphasized that his administration has spent years laying the groundwork through infrastructure, security, and policy institutionalization to ensure the sector outlives his tenure.
The summit, themed “From Groundwork to Governance: Building Tourism That Endures,” served as a platform for the Governor to address the "elephant in the room" for many private investors: political risk.

“When investors consider opportunities, they ask: what happens after this administration? Will agreements be honored?” Makinde noted. “Leadership changes, but systems must endure. We are not just initiating projects; we are building structures—like the 25-year Tourism Master Plan—that ensure progress does not depend on an individual.”

To demonstrate the state's readiness, the Governor highlighted the seamless connectivity between the state's geopolitical zones. 

He challenged skeptics to traverse the newly linked corridors:
Moniya to Iseyin: 65 kilometers; Iseyin to Ogbomoso: 76 kilometers; and Iseyin to Oyo: 42 kilometers.

“You can drive at least 180 kilometers on state roads without a single pothole,” he boasted, noting that these roads are the arteries that will carry tourists to the state's heritage sites.

The Governor used the summit to announce a major milestone in public-private partnership: a 15-year concession agreement with System Specs Limited for the iconic Bower’s Tower. 

He also presented the development framework for Eleyele Lake, citing these as "building blocks" of a structured investment ecosystem where risks are minimized through legal and policy frameworks.

In a pointed remark on the state's political future, Makinde urged residents to prioritize the state's interest over party colors in the next election cycle. 

He argued that the success of his "Pacesetter" agenda relies on electing a successor with the loyalty and capacity to sustain the current momentum.

“If we make a mistake [in leadership], it is a one-day event, but the impact will last four years,” Makinde warned. 

Stressing “Our administration is blind to party affiliations; if you are loyal to Oyo State and have the capacity, we will tap you to support our development.”

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