This landmark approval signals a new strategic dawn in the transformation of Ekiti State’s tourism corridor and firmly positions the State on the path to becoming a premier heritage and nature-based tourism destination in Nigeria, West Africa, and the global tourism marketplace.

In a press statement by the Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre esq., noted; ”With this singular achievement, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has broken what industry observers describe as Nigeria’s longstanding “tourism governance jinx” by emerging as the first State Governor in the history of tourism development in Nigeria to initiate, produce, and secure Executive approval for the two most fundamental tourism development instruments — a Tourism Policy and a Tourism Development Master Plan — in a deliberate and sequential order.

”This dual-document governance architecture provides, for the first time, a structured institutional compass and an execution blueprint for tourism growth not only in Ekiti State but as a reference model for sub-national tourism planning across Nigeria.

”Even more historically significant is the global institutional collaboration that underpinned the policy framework. For the first time in the history of the United Nations Tourism system, the global body directly collaborated with a sub-national government in the conceptualisation and development of a Tourism Policy — the Ekiti State Tourism Policy. The organisation deployed its officials to provide technical guidance, international benchmarking, and professional advisory support, thereby conferring global credibility and international currency on the document.

The statement furthe disclosed; ”The Tourism Development Master Plan (2025–2035), approved for implementation by EXCO, is designed as a long-term strategic roadmap to unlock Ekiti State’s vast but previously under-optimised tourism assets. It provides a comprehensive, practical, and sustainable framework to transform the State into a leading tourism hub through phased infrastructure development, investment mobilisation, thematic tourism circuits, and enhanced visitor experience systems.

”The Plan aligns with international standards and reflects collaboration with global institutions while placing strong emphasis on job creation, local enterprise stimulation, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth for host communities.”

The docuuments developed under the coordination of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, the Master Plan leverage Ekiti’s rich endowments — including waterfalls, warm springs, mountains, cultural heritage corridors, historical relics, and eco-tourism landscapes — to enhance the State’s competitive positioning as a destination of choice.

To ensure technical depth and global best practice, Red Clay Advisory Services, a reputable tourism planning and advisory firm, was engaged to prepare the Master Plan and deliver a forward-looking blueprint tailored to Ekiti’s unique tourism identity and development aspirations.

Complementing the Master Plan is the Tourism Policy Document — a strategic governance framework designed to guide implementation, regulation, investment promotion, institutional coordination, and sustainable tourism growth.

The Policy Document, also driven by the Bureau of Tourism Development, establishes the philosophical foundation upon which the Master Plan operates. It promotes eco-tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism, and business tourism while outlining mechanisms for infrastructure enhancement, safety standards, service excellence, and niche market development.

Overseas Credit & Private Equity Limited was engaged to develop the Policy framework, bringing its expertise in tourism planning and advisory services to bear in crafting a globally compliant policy structure.

Together, the Tourism Policy serves as the compass, providing direction, governance structure, and regulatory clarity, while the Tourism Development Master Plan stands as the execution engine, translating vision into projects, investments, infrastructure, and measurable socio-economic outcomes.

 Ojo-Lanre described the moment as; “A structural rebirth of tourism governance not only in Ekiti State but a reference point for sub-national tourism development across Nigeria. This approval moves tourism from aspiration to execution.”

He noted that the next phase would focus on implementation activation, stakeholder mobilisation, investment attraction, and institutional delivery mechanisms.

The ultimate goal of the twin documents is to unlock Ekiti State’s vast tourism potential, generate sustainable employment, stimulate small and medium enterprises, attract domestic and international visitors, and deliver shared prosperity to residents and investors alike.

With this approval, Ekiti State sets its sights on attaining global recognition as a leading eco-cultural tourism destination.

Further announcements on policy unveiling, investment summits, and implementation milestones will be communicated in due course.

Speaking, while delivering his goodwill message at the grand opening of the IPADA Iinitiative Celebrations  2025 at La Campagne Tropicana Forest River And Beach Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Ibrahim, who is the leader of the organized private sector,  commended Tourism Icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, the Founder of La Campagne Tropicana Brand and Initiator  of IPADA I and IPADA Initiatives Celebrations under the umbrella of Motherland Beckons, for his doggedness over 40 years in putting together activations, to bring Africa together.

“This wonderful visions and initiative that he has put up, are indeed worthy of commendation. I want you all to know that Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye is also the Chairperson of the NACCIMA Creative Economy. NACCIMA for the benefit of all of us who are here, is the National Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture. NACCIMA is at the forefront of pushing for development of this great country Nigeria.

“We have taken position to support Mr. President Bola Tinubu, in achieving a one trillion dollar economy by 2030. We are convinced and confident that one of the major contributors to the economy, is the creative sector. And that is why I am particularly supportive of all that the creative sector, can do because, it is the lowest hanging fruit for all of us. So I want to commend all Initiatives in the creative sector. Be it music, theatre, content, we need to get it going quickly, as this gets Nigeria on the International platform, on a good stage.

“I recall in my travels around the world that it is Nigerian artistes that are always mentioned to me, either in football, music, in theatre and so on, it is the Nigerian artistes that gets mentioned first, even before people in government and other private sectors.”

This is as he further noted;  “So I commend those of you that have come from far and near, and assure you that Nigeria is home. Make it your home because Nigeria is a gateway to Africa. I welcome you all on behalf of NACCIMA. Here we have over over 100 Chambers of Commerce, all over the country. I welcome all of you. I also use this opportunity to welcome Her Majesty, Queen Aruk II, Obongawan Barrister Marie Ikpeme Erete, as a Mother of culture, who has come all the way from Cross River State of Nigeria, to celebrate with us tonight, not forgeting the Kings and other traditional rulers and dignitariesfrom far and wide. I thank you, especially also, all of you that have travelled all the way from Brazil, Europe, Asia, America and every other places in Africa, to be part of this great celebration.

The NACCIMA President also expressed appreciation to all the creatives present at the event, including Juju Maestro, King Sunny Ade’s son, who brought a live band, to entertain into the night, at the grand opening ceremony.

“And because this is all about creativity, I want to commend Emperor Ade and his band for giving us an opportunity of a good dance time this evening. Indeed, he is a chip of the old block, he has really brought back good memories of our years gone by,” hw said.

Adding, “I thank you all for coming, God bless IPADA Initiatives, God bless La Campagne Tropicana, God bless NACCIMA and God continue to bless our great country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and continue to protect all our defence forces.”