Turning Ondo State into a Global Tourist Destination

By Ayo Oyoze Baje

“We have a lot of tourist sites in the state that would help us create more jobs for our people, boost our economy, and generate revenue.

• Gov. Lucky Aiyetadiwa ( Speaking at the 9th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP ), July 2025 )

That tourism remains an untapped gold mine across Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural landscape is stating the obvious. But what might not be so known to millions of the citizens, including the policy makers are the pragmatic policies, programs and projects to serve as the right steps to take; to bridge the gap which currently exists between the immense natural potentials and the actualized revenues and inputs from the significant sector. Though the most visited destinations by international tourist arrivals in 2024 as revealed by Lewis Nunn, the Senior Travel Editor with Forbes Magazine include France with 100 million visitors, Spain with 94 million, the United States,72.4 million, Italy 69.5 million followed by Turkey with 52.6 million while the Travel industry pumped $11.1 trillion into global economy Nigeria did not rank amongst the top 10
most visited countries in Africa in 2024.

On the continent Morocco topped with 17.4 million tourists, followed by Egypt, 15.7 million; Tunisia, 10.25 million and South Africa, 8.92 million In fact, Nigeria ranked 12th with 1.2 million tourists mostly driven by diaspora visits, business, and cultural events.

While the country recorded a total of 528,000 tourists in 2022, ranking 88th in the world that figure increased to 1.2 million international visitors, and three million domestic trips equating to 20% rise in 2023. That was according to the then Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John. She disclosed this during the 20th edition of the AKWAABA African Travel and Tourism Market, held in Lagos. But one state that is poised to be a game-changer in Nigeria’s tourism spectrum is none other than the acclaimed Sunshine State, Ondo located in the South-West geo-political zone.

Given its scenic, diverse landscape with the tempting terrain from the rolling hills,verdant valleys across the fertile forests to the aquatic splendor of the Atlantic ocean boasting of the longest coastline in West Africa, Ondo state is considered a prime tourism investment destination. That is more so due to its wealth of natural and cultural resources, offering an enticing opportunity for tourism investors. Name them; from the
Araromi White Sand Beach to the Idanre Hills Tourist Centre and the Ebomi Lake Tourist Centre,Obdo state has all these and more. Places such as Igbo Olodumare.
Smokin Hill Golf Resort and
Oke Maria (Christian Pilgrimage center) are spell-bing places as memorable treats for visitors from across the globe. In fact, Idanre is an ideal site for high altitude sport, training, gaming, adventure, relaxation, picnicking, leadership training and holidaying.. But how do we harness them for the state’s sustainable economic growth? That is the million-naira, sorry, dollar question.

Well aware of these huge potentials, the state governor, Lucky Aiyetadiwa has pledged that his administration was ready to maximize the tourism potentials for economic growth of the Ondo. He gave the assurance at the 9th annual general meeting and conference of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), held at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome) in Akure, in July,2025. He acknowledged the immense contribution of tourism to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any nation. Represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, the governor said his administration was deeply focusing on preserving the existing tourist sites in Ondo state in order to attract local and foreign tourists.

In specific term, he stated that: “Sites like the Idanre Hills, Araromi Beach, Igbo Olodumare and Ebomi Lake, among others, would soon receive attention. We will maximize our tourism potential for economic growth.”

And walking the talk on the promises made, Governor Aiyetadiwa has gone ahead to award contract based on Public Private Partnership ( PPP ) for massive construction of recreation centres as well as hotels, chalets to accommodate visitors to Idanre Hills from across the globe. It is a similar one for the Araromi Obuh at the Atlantic Bar Beach as a world tourist site. Located close to the state”s modular oil refinery with a capacity of 500,000 barrels per day, it will no doubt attract tourists. Of interest too is the springing up of several top-class hotels in places such as Akure,Ondo,Okitipupa, Ikare and Ore, that connects the South West to the South East. All these, as confirmed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku will assist to open up the cities to harness their potentials as cultural destinations.

Speaking on how Ondo state could leverage on the available tourism potentials, an indigene who happens to be the Convener, Destination Nigeria Governors’ Tourism Conference ( DNGRC ), Ambassador Ayo Omotoso insists that the state has a beautiful place in the global tourism map, that is, if properly harnessed. That is more so in the development and showcasing areas of tourist destinations, cultural spectacles and agritourism.

Describing tourism as universal and a tool to create wealth; which contributes to the nation”s GDP he believes that Ondo state in particular and Nigeria at large have what it takes to be reckoned with as places such as Malaysia, Jordan, Scandinavian countries, South Africa, Jerusalem, Mecca, and Dubai, all of which earn huge incomes from tourism.

According to him, the tourism template of Ondo State is worth 29 billion dollars and can generate employment for one million youths. The major tourism signature among them is Idanre Hills, which is 3,000 ft. above sea level and is listed on a UNESCO heritage site. He wants it to be properly marketed around the scenic beauty of the hilly town of Idanre, celebrating nature’s gift and providing a viable destination for tourists.
Similarly, Oke Maria is a religious destination waiting for branding and other tourism embellishments
similar to how Israel sells major religious tourist centres, including Jerusalem to the rest of the world.

On the cultural attractions of Ondo state there are colorful ones like the Igogo festival which is already on the world’s tourism map as well as the Eginmogun Festival.

Notably, the eco-tourism potential ranges from mineral resources to the beach coastline. The coastal area development too will generate funds similar to what happens in Florida, in the United States flourishes through tourism.

On agritourism the idea of Ile-Oluji Cocoa Powder, a tea with a good natural taste is a welcome development. With it the people can mix it with a tourism as it is done in Kenya and many East African countries. .Farmers and ranchers use this interest to develop traffic at their farms or ranch and interest in the quality of their products.

Tourism, as Omotoso views it is like a flame that once you light it, it brings development to the whole geographical space. Good enough, Gov. Aiyetadiwa is lightening up the space by the partnership the state has with the World Bank, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and Food Security, to train and empower over 34,000 livestock farmers of the state on livestock productivity. It also has one with the Czech Republic for a strategic diplomatic engagement aimed at enhancing economic growth, technological transfer, and international cooperation, involving global investors and entrepreneurs, aimed at unlocking the state’s vast economic potentials.

With massive infrastructural development opening up the tourist destinations down to the rural areas and peace guaranteed the dream of turning Ondo state into a global destination has started to see the light of the day. flame; the moment you light it, it brings development to the whole geographical space. Good enough, Gov. Aiyetadiwa is lightening up the space by the partnership the state has with the World Bank, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and Food Security, to train and empower over 34,000 livestock farmers of the state on livestock productivity. And of course, that with the Czech Republic for a strategic diplomatic engagement aimed at enhancing economic growth, technological transfer, and international cooperation, involving global investors and entrepreneurs, aimed at unlocking the state’s vast economic potentials.

With massive infrastructural development opening up the tourist destinations, down to the rural areas and peace guaranteed the dream of turning Ondo state into a global destination has started to see the light of the day.