There are governors, and then there are governors in Nigeria! Some lead with vision, recognising the immense economic potential embedded in tourism and the creative industry. They invest in, support, and build flourishing ecosystems. Others, on the other hand, treat tourism with indifference and disregard. Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde is a governor of note!
Kunle Afolayan will never forget the daring day he and his family decided to invest billions of naira in Oyo State, not in Lagos or his hometown, Kwara. And not even in the urban heart of Ibadan, but in the quiet, rustic, and remote jungle of Igbojaiye—a dry border town tucked far from the spotlight.
It was supposed to be Kunle Afolayan’s defining moment—a glorious culmination of vision, grit, and relentless passion. The world had gathered in Igbojaiye, a quiet, sleepy village in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, to witness the unveiling of a creative marvel: the KAP Film Village and Resort Centre. It is a dream built at the foot of the hills—a cultural sanctuary envisioned to rival any in the world. But what was meant to be a day entirely about Afolayan’s genius turned into an unforgettable spectacle when Governor Seyi Makinde arrived and flooded the event with promises, plans, and government support that surprised even the most optimistic guests.
Over 600 guests braved the unforgiving roads and long distances to Igbojaiye. They came excitedly, full of hope and happiness, ready to witness history. They were drawn by the sheer audacity of a filmmaker erecting a multi-billion-naira creative empire not in Lagos or Abuja but in a forgotten rural pocket of Oyo State. Guests came from far and wide—government officials, cultural icons, media houses, investors, and art lovers—all eager to experience the birth of a new creative nucleus. The facility stood majestic in its rustic yet regal charm, a proud blend of traditional architecture, cultural reverence, and artistic intent. It looked like an oasis in the desert, an entire film village powered, until now, solely by diesel, as Kunle Afolayan revealed in his speech, bearing the burden of running the place singlehandedly.
Afolayan’s voice was steady, but his story stirred the soul. He spoke about the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, and the vision of creating something purely African yet globally competitive. Igbojaiye, a village barely known beyond its borders, had now become a destination—thanks to one man’s belief in culture, tourism, and the power of place.
Then came Governor Makinde
Not one for long speeches, the governor let his actions speak. Visibly impressed, he praised Afolayan’s courage, calling the investment “monumental and transformational”. And then he began to roll out the unexpected. The announcements came one after the other, like scenes from a well-scripted drama. He will celebrate his next birthday at the resort in December. The road from Ipapo to Igbojaiye would be fixed. We planned to deliver two transformers. A direct power connection from Iseyin was to be installed. They planned to add a mini solar grid. On Monday, the local government summoned the chairman to his office. And just when it seemed he was done, the Governor dropped the final bombshell—an airstrip would be constructed near the resort, serving both tourism and security purposes. The crowd gasped. The applause was thunderous. And the entire atmosphere shifted.
What started as a filmmaker’s private triumph had become a state-backed revolution. It was no longer just about celebrating Afolayan; it was about rewriting the story of rural development, turning the lens toward forgotten towns, and proving that great things can be built outside Nigeria’s urban chaos.
Guests like Minister Hannatu Musawa, Tunde Kelani, Hon. Shina Peller, Abike Dabiri, Dr Abdulazeez Adediran Jandor, Abiola Adelana of Sterling Bank, Hon. O’Shine from the House of Reps, Amb. Wale Ojo-Lanre from Ekiti, Akinwale Wolekanle, and others were stunned by the Resort’s scale and the Governor’s response. Seun Soyinka had ensured everyone was well hosted, but it was the political gesture of Governor Makinde that sealed the day in gold.
Kunle Afolayan and the people of Igbojaiye were visibly moved. The Oba and the townspeople were overcome with joy. Their village was no longer a forgotten dot on the map—it had become Nigeria’s creative tourism centre.
Makinde didn’t just attend an inauguration. He hijacked it—in the best way possible. He turned a ceremonial launch into a public-private cultural alliance. He saw the potential, felt the pulse, and responded with action.
Ultimately, the day belonged to both men—Kunle Afolayan, the dreamer who dragged the world to Igbojaiye, and Governor Makinde, the leader who decided the dream was worth supporting. Vision and power now elevate what was built on diesel and determination.
And just like that, a new story began—one of films and resorts and how a small village in Oyo State became the epicentre of Nigeria’s creative future.
