The phenomenal emergence of Ekiti State as a dominant force in Nigeria’s tourism discourse is nothing short of miraculous—a journey best described as “From Dormancy to Destination.” It is the impressive tale of how a bold and deliberate strategic policy shift transformed Ekiti into Nigeria’s new “Tourism Heartbeat.”
On a continent endowed with boundless potential, a leader has risen who understands that tourism is not merely leisure but a powerful engine of economic growth and cultural diplomacy. Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State has been named the Best Tourism Governor 2024 by the prestigious Akwaaba African Travel Market. This honour is more than an award; it is a professional validation of deliberate, policy-led transformation backed by overwhelming endorsement—89.5% of West African tourism stakeholders voted for him.
The Bold Policy Shift
For decades, Ekiti’s “multi-various” natural attractions languished in obscurity, hampered by weak government policies, poor infrastructure, and little public awareness. But in August 2023, Governor Oyebanji charted a new course by creating the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, a first-of-its-kind structural reform in Nigeria. By separating tourism from the Ministry of Arts and Culture and placing it under his direct supervision, Oyebanji elevated the sector from the sidelines to the very centre of governance.
He appointed Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, a seasoned tourism professional and national award recipient, as the Director General. Under his leadership, the bureau earned commendation from the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) for “unmatched zeal and creativity.” Within months, Ekiti rolled out Nigeria’s first State Tourism Policy and Tourism Development Master Plan, produced in collaboration with UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO), private sector experts such as Overseas Credit, and key MDAs. This was hailed as the “golden key” to unlocking jobs, investments, and international recognition.
From Policy to Visible Impact
The results came quickly. The once dilapidated Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort was revitalised through a public-private partnership into a world-class eco-resort and conference hub. New destinations were unveiled, including the Abanijorin Rock of Wonders with its natural amphitheatre and seven caves, which has already attracted the Honourable Minister of Tourism.
Beyond sites, the administration invested in people—training 45 professional tour guides to global standards, plugging a historic gap in skilled manpower. Oyebanji also lent his personal presence to events like the Hike Ekiti Mountain Safari at Sagbonke, popularly called “Hike & Dine in the Clouds”. Festivals such as the Udiroko and Ita Ajero Carnivals received strong government backing, boosting local economies and reinforcing cultural pride.
Building a Secure and Marketable Brand
Governor Oyebanji’s reforms did not stop at tourism sites. Under his Infrastructure and Industrialisation pillar, his government completed the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, licensed for non-scheduled flights, and commissioned the Ado-Ekiti Ultra-Modern Bus Terminal. These developments improved accessibility, while his government’s “unwavering commitment to security”—praised by ATPN—made Ekiti one of the safest states for tourists and investors.
Strategic marketing ensured global visibility. Ekiti’s delegation became a prominent fixture at Akwaaba Travel Market, NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival (where pounding yams became a tourist spectacle), and the Oodua Tourism Fair. At the 68th UN Tourism CAF Summit in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted Ekiti on the global stage. At the same time, cultural icons like Goge Africa crowned Oyebanji the “Best Governor in Cultural Tourism Promotion 2024.”
The Verdict: A Governor Who Rewrote the Script
The Akwaaba award, the 89.5% endorsement by industry stakeholders, and Ekiti’s growing profile all attest to the fact that Oyebanji’s integrated approach has restructured tourism in Nigeria. He has shifted the sector from the “soft side of development” to a core pillar of economic diversification.
The official award ceremony, slated for September 16, 2025, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, will merely formalise a truth already acknowledged: Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has emerged as Nigeria’s Tourism Governor of the Year—a visionary leader who turned potential into performance, dreams into destinations, and Ekiti into the heartbeat of tourism in Nigeria.
We at National Insight proudly congratulate the people of Ekiti State, at home and in the diaspora, as we celebrate this superlative recognition
