Tourism alone can drive economic diversification – Ogun Commissioner

The Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sesan Fagbayi, has described Nigeria’s tourism sector as an untapped goldmine, urging stakeholders to harness its vast potential for economic diversification and growth.

 

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Fagbayi, represented by Mr. Michael Ogunbiyi from the ministry, emphasized that tourism offers a unique opportunity for job creation and the promotion of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage on a global scale.

 

“Tourism alone can drive economic diversification when we consider its reach across commerce, arts, crafts, and agriculture.

 

“Our cultural, sports, and other tourism assets are powerful tools for marketing our heritage. If we fail to showcase these assets, how will Nigerians and the rest of the world know what we possess?” he said.

 

The Commissioner highlighted Ogun State’s many tourism assets, including Olumo Rock, Bilikisu Sungbo Shrine, Sacred Heart Hospital—the nation’s first hospital—and prominent figures like Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and the Anikulapo-Kuti family. “Tourism allows us to showcase these pride points and share our heritage with the world,” he added.

 

Fagbayi commended the association for hosting the forum, calling it crucial for fostering engagement and driving the sector forward.

 

In his keynote address titled, “Tourism and Culture: A Veritable Tool for Economic Growth and Industrial Revolution,” Dr. Wasiu Babalola challenged local tourism professionals to leverage the state’s infrastructure advancements to attract visitors.

 

He noted that Ogun’s security, improved road networks, and attractions like the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library position the state as a viable tourist destination.

 

“Ogun is relatively safe, with new roads leading to the capital,” Babalola said. “We have world-class attractions, so the question is, what are professionals doing to draw tourists to these sites and capitalize on the government’s investments?”

 

The state coordinator of the association, Dr. Ibraheem Kukoyi, also called for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to fully develop the tourism sector and unlock its economic benefits.

 

 

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