Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said his administration is laying the foundation for Oyo to emerge as the tourism capital of South-West Nigeria, backed by infrastructure development, policy continuity, and long-term investment frameworks.
Makinde made the remarks on Wednesday at the International Tourism Summit Oyo State 2026 held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Speaking on the theme “From Groundwork to Governance: Building Tourism That Endures,” the governor said his government was deliberately focusing on building systems that would outlive political administrations.
According to him, improved road networks, enhanced security, and ongoing rehabilitation of tourist sites are already strengthening the state’s tourism potential.
Some of you here were part of the tour of the Oke Ogun Zone. I hope you can now see why Oyo is set to become the tourism capital of South-West Nigeria in the coming years,” Makinde said.
He highlighted major infrastructure projects across the state, including road construction linking rural and urban communities, noting that better connectivity would directly boost tourism and economic activities.
Makinde also emphasized the importance of policy stability for investors, stressing that his administration is focused on institutional frameworks rather than short-term political decisions.
“When investors consider opportunities, there is always the question of what happens after this administration. That is why we are building systems that will endure beyond government,” he said.
He cited the ongoing 110-kilometre Circular Road project and the development of a 25-year tourism master plan as examples of long-term planning aimed at sustaining growth in the sector.
The governor also revealed that the state had entered a 15-year concession agreement with SystemSpecs for the management of Bower’s Tower, as part of efforts to improve tourism asset management.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who also spoke at the event, praised Makinde’s infrastructure drive and called for stronger institutionalisation of tourism development across the South-West.
“For tourism to be sustained, it must be institutionalised rather than personalised,” Fayemi said, while also advocating a regional tourism circuit to link attractions across the South-West.
Other stakeholders, including filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and Obafela Bank-Olemoh, commended the state’s road projects and growing investment appeal, while the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, said the new tourism framework is designed to ensure consistency, coordination, and long-term growth.
