Ahead of the international tourism summit, Oyo State is expected to unveil six investment-ready sites at the second summit billed to hold between July 22 and 24 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
The chairman of the summit’s planning committee, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, said the sites are located in Ibadan and other parts of the state.
Olatubosun, who doubles as the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, said this year’s summit was not just a celebration of culture but a strategic investors’ gathering designed to unlock public-private partnerships, secure long-term investments, and reposition Oyo State as Nigeria’s model for tourism-led economic transformation.
According to him, with participation from foreign embassies, global tourism experts, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector, ITSOyoState2025 will feature an exclusive investment roundtable where viable, government-backed tourism projects will be pitched directly to investors.
Site visits to heritage-rich destinations, including royal palaces and ecotourism hubs, providing firsthand exposure to investment-ready opportunities and showcase of Oyo State’s renewed infrastructure, safety record, and regulatory environment, which are already driving increased tourist traffic and investor interest.
It would also feature cultural exhibitions and curated networking opportunities to foster meaningful collaborations across sectors.
Olatubosun added that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration had deliberately positioned tourism as a pillar for diversifying the state’s economy.
“The state’s revamped road network, improved security architecture, streamlined policies, and digital investor support systems now make it one of the most attractive destinations for tourism investment in West Africa,” he said.
