Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has announced a sweeping policy overhaul of the state’s tourism sector, unveiling what he called the “Tourism Reset
Agenda”.
Makinde declared this during his keynote address at the 2025 International Tourism Summit, held today at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Addressing tourism stakeholders, potential investors, and industry leaders, Governor Makinde admitted past setbacks but reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Oyo State as a viable tourism hub in Nigeria and West Africa.
“Tourism is serious business and Oyo State must no longer be left behind,” the governor declared.
Makinde acknowledged that despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding with an investor for the redevelopment of Agodi Gardens last year, the project has yet to break ground due to institutional bottlenecks and mistrust. He pledged to resolve these issues swiftly.
“Let me be honest with you: the vision was clear, the investor was ready, yet over a year later, the project hasn’t moved forward. But whether it is bottlenecks or mistrust, these are issues that can and will be resolved,” he assured the audience.
“Tourism Reset Agenda” is anchored on five key executive-level commitments, each designed to remove existing barriers and fast-track tourism development:
Directed The Ministry of Culture and Tourism will now report directly to the Governor’s Office.
This move, effective from the 2025 Mid-Year Executive Council Review, eliminates bureaucratic delays and centralizes accountability.
A new unit within the Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPPA) will serve as a single-entry point for all tourism-related investments. The governor emphasized a strict 72-hour response time for investor inquiries.
All future tourism projects will be governed by short, enforceable five-page agreements outlining project goals, timelines, land status, and penalties for non-performance.
A real-time Tourism Investment Dashboard is scheduled to launch next month.
The platform will track all active Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), their implementation status, and associated government obligations—publicly accessible via the state’s tourism website.
The governor urged investors to “bring your best ideas, bring your execution capacity, bring your commitment to the people of Oyo State,” promising in return a governance structure built on transparency and delivery, not “theatrics.”
Governor Makinde also tied tourism development to ongoing infrastructure and security improvements.
He cited the nearing completion of key projects such as the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport upgrade, and the first phase of the Ibadan Circular Road, linking The Technical University to Asejire within 20 minutes.
He also addressed urban order and traffic discipline as part of the broader plan to make Oyo attractive and safe for both local and international visitors.
“We’ve installed tyre reapers to deter one-way driving. Tourists from abroad expect rule of law; they’re not used to traffic chaos,” Makinde said. “We’re not just building roads—we’re building confidence.”
Governor Makinde challenged both local and international investors to seize the moment.
“We are not promising perfection, but we are committing to performance. If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, this is your call—let us build legacy together.”
The 2025 International Tourism Summit, themed “Reimagining Tourism in Emerging Economies”, brought together key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, with Oyo State positioning itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s tourism renaissance.
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