Oyo State, Nigeria | Pursuing a Tourism Growth Agenda to Establish Itself as a Leading Destination in the South - West of the Country

Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, created in 1976 and nicknamed the “Pace Setter State”, a vast land covering roughly 28.454 square kilometres, primarily characterized by its Yoruba culture, historical landmarks, old hard rocks, dome - shaped hills that reach 1.200 metres, extensive agriculture, with a landscape that transition from forest in the south to savanna in the north,  is aggressively pursuing a touris- growth agenda, branded as the “Tourism Reset Agenda” to establish itself as a leading destination in the south - west of the country. 

The initiative founded on a 25 – year Master Plan is actively promoted by Governor Seyi Makinde who has called for continued investment with the aim to position Oyo State as the tourism capital of southwestern Nigeria.

This strategic plan focuses on infrastructure upgrades (particularly roads), destination development, security improvements to strengthen tourism offering and promotion of cultural festivals. 

This move reflects a growing trend of subnational tourism development across Africa, where regional governments are increasingly investing in culture, heritage and domestic tourism as economic growth sectors. 

Key Fatures of Oyo State’s Tourism Agenda: 

•    Tourism Reset Agenda and 25 - Year Master Plan: A strategic framework initiated in 2025 to remove bottlenecks, enhance infrastructure, and turn tourism into a self - sustaining economy. 
•    Infrastructure and Accessibility: Strategic road projects, including the Ibadan – Eruwa and Igbo  - Ora – Iganna corridors, are improving access to tourist sites. 
•    Enhanced Security: The state has prioritized security, leading to a stable environment favourable for tourism and 24 – hour economy initiatives. 
•    Cultural and Heritage Promotion: Highlighting key attractions such as the World Twins Festival in Igbo – Ora, the Agodi Botanical Garden, a vast green space in Ibadan, Ado – Awaye Suspended Lake, one of the few in the world, Old Oyo National Park, located on the site of the ancient Oyo Empire historic sites in Oyo and Ogbomosho as well as landmarks highlighting Yoruba heritage.
•    Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with stakeholders like the Hoteliers Association of Oyo State to boost industry standards, investment, and internally generated revenue (IGR). 
•    Development of New Facilities: Promotion of film villages and resorts, such as the Kunle Afolayan Productions’s Film Village. 

These initiatives aim to transform tourism into a major employment generator and diversify the state’s economy. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/oyo-state-pushes-tourism-growth-agenda.html