Makinde Unveils Long-term Tourism Blueprint, Assures Investors Of Policy Continuity

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state into a tourism hub in South-West Nigeria through strategic infrastructure development, institutionalised policies, and sustained investor-friendly initiatives.

Makinde made this known at the International Tourism Summit Oyo State 2026 held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where he declared that the state is laying a solid foundation for a tourism-driven economy capable of attracting global investors and enduring beyond his administration.

Speaking on the summit theme: “From Groundwork to Governance: Building Tourism That Endures,” the governor said his administration had deliberately moved beyond project initiation to the establishment of enduring systems and structures that would sustain tourism development for decades.

According to him, improved road networks, strengthened security architecture, revitalisation of key tourist attractions, and the institutionalisation of tourism policies are already positioning Oyo State as a leading tourism destination in Nigeria and beyond.

Makinde stressed that policy continuity remains central to attracting long-term investments, noting that investors require stable systems and assurance that development agreements will survive changes in political leadership.

He explained that his administration had created coordinated frameworks designed to make investment in Oyo State structured, protected, and sustainable, adding that tourism development in the state is now anchored on institutions rather than individuals.

He said participants who toured the Oke-Ogun axis during the summit would better appreciate the state’s tourism potential and ongoing infrastructural transformation.

Highlighting key projects, the governor noted major road networks linking different parts of the state, saying travellers can now move seamlessly from Moniya to Iseyin, Ogbomoso, and Oyo without encountering potholes on state roads.

He also cited the ongoing 110-kilometre Circular Road project as evidence of how policy discontinuity in previous administrations slowed development and discouraged investment opportunities.

Makinde said his administration is determined to prevent such setbacks by institutionalising governance processes and aligning state institutions around shared developmental goals.

He disclosed that the government has established a 25-year Tourism Master Plan Committee, alongside development frameworks for key tourism assets such as the Eleyele Lake corridor, as part of efforts to guarantee continuity.

The governor also announced that the state government recently signed a 15-year concession agreement with SystemSpecs for the management of Bower’s Tower, aimed at strengthening private sector participation in tourism development.

Addressing investors at the summit, Makinde assured that engagement with Oyo State is engagement with a structured governance system where projects are anchored on long-term plans rather than individuals.

“As we approach the latter phase of this administration, our focus is not just to complete projects but to ensure that what has been started can continue,” he said.

On succession and continuity, Makinde reiterated that although he would recommend a successor to the people of Oyo State ahead of the next election, the ultimate decision rests with the electorate.

He maintained that his recommendation would be guided by loyalty to the state, competence, and commitment to development rather than political affiliation.

According to him, the achievements of his administration have been made possible because governance in the state has remained inclusive and driven by competence and development priorities.

The governor also called on traditional rulers and stakeholders across the state to continue supporting his administration’s vision for sustainable economic growth and tourism expansion.

In his remarks, former governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, commended Makinde for his infrastructural drive and commitment to promoting tourism and regional economic integration.

Fayemi stressed that continuity in governance is essential for sustainable development, describing tourism as a sector that must be institutionalised rather than personalised.

Drawing from his experience in public service, he noted that tourism should be treated as a critical economic driver supported by security and environmental sustainability.

He also advocated for the establishment of a South-West Tourism Circuit that would connect tourist attractions across the region and position the South-West as an international tourism gateway.

Presenting the 25-Year Tourism Master Plan Framework, Dr. Kola Lawal said the initiative is designed to attract investment and drive regional development through structured implementation strategies.

Also speaking, founder of Kunle Afolayan Productions, Kunle Afolayan, and Managing Director of Whatadeal Africa, Obafela Bank-Olemoh, praised the Makinde administration for improving road infrastructure that has enhanced access to tourism sites across the state.

They described Oyo State as a custodian of history, culture, and tradition, noting that heritage remains its strongest tourism advantage.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, said the tourism foundation being built by the administration is anchored on consistency, coordination, disciplined execution, and long-term growth.

Director-General of the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED), Dr. Morounkola Thomas, said strong governance frameworks boost investor confidence, ensure policy alignment, and guarantee project continuity.

Similarly, Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnerships Agency, Mr. Tilewa Folami, highlighted the tourism and investment potential of the Eleyele Lake corridor, describing it as a structured tourism investment zone with significant economic opportunities.

In her welcome address, secretary of the organising committee, Ms. Abigail Anaba, noted that while government cannot build a tourism economy alone, it can create the structure, direction, and opportunities needed for private sector participation and sustainable growth.