Posts

The launch of the first international flight from Ibadan is a historic milestone for Oyo State and the entire Southwest region.

Image
Operations commenced on 18th February 2026, at the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, with additional flights scheduled for 23rd, 24th and 25th of February. The new direct service between Ibadan and London signals a major leap in regional aviation development. Why This Matters ✅ Reduced Pressure on Lagos For decades, most international travelers from the Southwest depended heavily on airports in Lagos. This new route reduces travel stress, road risks, and time spent commuting to catch long-haul flights. ✅ Economic Growth & Investment International connectivity boosts business travel, trade opportunities, diaspora engagement, and foreign investment inflows into Ibadan and surrounding cities. ✅ Tourism & Regional Development Improved air access positions Ibadan as a gateway to cultural and heritage destinations across Oyo State and the wider Southwest, strengthening Nigeria’s tourism value chain. A Strategic Aviation Milestone The upgrade of the airport to int...

‎The Ekiti-State Executive Council Approves Implementation of Ekiti Tourism Development Master Plan (2025–2035)

Image
The State Executive Council approved the implementation of the Ekiti State Tourism Development Master Plan (2025–2035), marking a significant milestone in the strategic transformation of the State’s tourism corridor. ‎ ‎The Master Plan is designed to position Ekiti State as a premier heritage and nature-based tourism destination in Nigeria and West Africa, with the long-term objective of attaining global recognition as a leading tourism hub. It aligns with international standards and reflects collaboration with global institutions such as the United Nations Tourism Department. ‎ ‎The primary goal of the Plan is to unlock the State’s untapped tourism potential, generate sustainable employment opportunities, stimulate local enterprises, and deliver shared benefits to residents and visitors alike. It places strong emphasis on preserving Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage, promoting environmental stewardship, and positioning tourism as a key driver of inclusive economic growth. ‎ ‎Develo...

Seun Anikulapo Kuti’s Ekiti Dreams

Image
When Seun Anikulapo Kuti speaks of roots, he speaks not in abstraction but in lineage, memory and place. Beyond Lagos, beyond global stages and political anthems, there lies Ipoti-Ekiti; the quiet Ekiti town that anchors his maternal heritage. Seun Kuti’s mother, Fehintola Anikulapo-Kuti (née Ogunade), is originally from Ipoti-Ekiti in Ekiti State. This maternal connection has steadily shaped conversations around a potential homecoming; not as spectacle alone, but as a return to origin. In a commentary by Babafemi Ojudu, Seun Kuti was quoted simply and powerfully: “Invite me to Ekiti.” The statement carried weight beyond performance. It echoed longing, identity and a readiness to reconnect with ancestral soil. For an artist whose music interrogates power, memory and African self-determination, Ekiti represents more than geography, it represents inheritance. More Than a Concert The idea of Seun Kuti’s return to Ekiti has never been framed as a one-night show. It is imagined as a homecom...

‎EKITI KETE 2026: Southwest Hoteliers Set to Unveil State’s Tourism Treasures to Global Audience. ‎

Image
The Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Southwest Zone, has officially flagged off preparations for its much-anticipated Biennial Conference, tagged EKITI KETE 2026, scheduled to hold from April 19th to 22nd at Midas Hotel and Arena in Ado Ekiti. ‎Addressing a packed press conference in the state capital,Ado Ekiti on Wednesday,the hosting state-Ekiti led by the association’s state President and LOC Chairman Hon.Akin Abimbola revealed that the conference will serve as a strategic platform to project Ekiti State’s vast tourism potential to local and international investors. With over 2,000 participants expected from across the six Southwest states, the theme “Gathering—Regulatory Framework and Policy: Creating a Conducive Environment for Hospitality Growth”—emphasises a collective resolve to reposition the region’s hospitality sector for global competitiveness. ‎ ‎Commending Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his administration’s proactive engagement with the private sector, the assoc...

‎Intentionality with Positivity Breeds Development, Reimagining Domestic Tourism in Southwest Nigeria. ‎

Image
‎ Southwest Nigeria is richly endowed with landscapes, culture, history, festivals, cuisine, creative industries and resilient communities. From the ancient walls of Ile-Ife and the hills of Ekiti, to the coastal charm of Lagos and Ondo, and the cultural heartbeat of Ibadan and Abeokuta, the region possesses all the ingredients of a thriving tourism economy. Yet, the full potential of domestic tourism remains largely untapped. Unlocking this potential requires one powerful combination: intentionality and positivity. ‎Intentionality speaks to deliberate planning, structured investments, and consistent policy direction. Positivity reflects belief in local destinations, pride in heritage, and confidence in homegrown experiences. When both intersect, development becomes not just possible but inevitable. ‎Domestic Tourism as a Development Engine ‎Domestic tourism is more than leisure; it is a strategic economic tool. It stimulates small businesses, creates jobs, strengthens value chains...

Urban Mountain Hiking Lecture Series to Spotlight Conservation and Sustainable Trail Development in Ado-Ekiti

Image
Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State | February 2026 Stakeholders in hiking, conservation, research, and tourism will converge in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, February 7, 2026, for the Urban Mountain Hiking Lecture Series, an initiative designed to deepen understanding of urban mountains beyond recreation and reposition them as vital ecological, cultural, and community assets. The lecture series, themed “Light Hike • Clean • Document,” will take place at Eminent Hotel, along NTA Road, Ado-Ekiti. It is structured as a learning and engagement platform for hikers, nature lovers, researchers, volunteers, and tourism stakeholders committed to the protection and sustainable development of Ekiti’s urban mountain landscapes. According to the organisers, the programme responds to the rising popularity of urban hiking and the urgent need to promote conservation, proper documentation, and responsible trail development. Participants will explore how urban mountains can serve as engines for biodiversity conservation, ...

Eleyele Lake: Ibadan’s Living Waterway of Memory, Movement and Meaning.

Image
Eleyele Lake stands quietly in western Ibadan, yet its influence runs deep through the city’s history, daily rhythms, and cultural landscape. Created in 1939 by damming the Ona River, the lake was originally conceived as an engineering solution—designed to control flooding and provide water for a growing colonial city. Over time, it has evolved into something far more profound: a living waterway that connects communities, sustains livelihoods, and reflects Ibadan’s enduring relationship with nature. Fed by an intricate network of streams—Otaru, Awba, Yemoja, and Alapo—Eleyele Lake thrives as a natural ecosystem, particularly during the rainy season. These tributaries do more than replenish the lake; they shape the lives and environments of surrounding communities such as Ijokodo, Apete, Awotan, and the Polytechnic of Ibadan. Here, water is not just a resource, but a shared heritage that links people, land, and history. In present-day Ibadan, Eleyele Lake has assumed an unexpected yet e...