OYO STATE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SUMMIT, UK held on 19th May 2023 in London
Submission of Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige (Special adviser to the governor on tourism and culture).
Oyo State: Tourism Investors’ Haven.
Oyo State is located in the Southern part of Nigeria. Created on February 3rd, 1976. The state covers a total of 27,249 square
kilometres of landmass and made up of 33 Local Government Areas with Ibadan as its capital. Ibadan is the 3rd largest city in Africa.
The state is an inland state in Southwest Nigeria, bounded in the south by Ogun State, in the North by Kwara State, in the west by partly Ogun State and Republic of Benin, and in the east, by Osun State.
Oyo State is the gateway state to travellers from Lagos to the inlet of Northern Nigeria and the Middle belt of Nigeria.
Everything about Oyo State is tourism, touristic hospitality and culture.Hence it earns the sobriquet of The Pacesetter State.
For, Oyo State is the only state in Nigeria that can boast of hosting many novels and first occurrence events, monuments, and heritage such as :
# The first Motorised Road in Nigeria – Ibadan – Oyo Road, was constructed in 1906.
# The first University in Nigeria The University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1962.
# The first Olympic Size Stadium The Liberty Stadium, now Obafemi Awolowo, Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State
# Cocoa House
The first sky scraper building in Nigeria,- The Cocoa House, was a 25- Storey building in Nigeria.
# The first University Teaching Hospital – The University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, UCH.on Saturday, October 31, 1959 christened Western Nigeria Television Service, WNTS, was planted in Ibadan
And so many other historical heritages, monuments and centres.
I just mentioned these few ones to lend credence to the fact highlighted earlier that Oyo l.
TOURISM INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
The tourism potentialities of Oyo State are compelling,
It consists of natural, historical, eco-tourism, water tourism, MICE, educational, geo-tourism heritage, agricultural, culinary, twins, sports, business, shopping and medical tourism.
– Natural Tourism Sites:
Iyake Suspended Lake, Ado Awaye
This is the only nature-created suspended lake in the world.
Planted on a hill of over 1600 metres above sea leave.
It is a bottomless lake with 5 other natural wonders around it.
It is in a raw state of development.
The latest record of visitors in 2022 was put at 4500 tourists.
– Dam – Water Tourism
Oyo State has 20 Dams of various capacities as Ikere Gorge Dam being the largest.
The Ikere Gorge Dan
– Bowers Tower, Ibadan
As highlighted earlier, this place offers you a panoramic view of Ibadan. The first officially inaugurated tourist site in Nigeria.
It is waiting for enhancement
Monuments and Heritage
– Mapo Hall. Ibadan
The oldest and first public hall in Nigeria. Built in-in 1929, Mapo Hall has been described as the political campaign headquarters of Nigeria.
– Manor House, Iseyin
This is the Residence of the Colonial Commissioners when Nigeria was under the British government. The artefacts of those times are kept there.
London Barclay’s Bank’s replica House –
Chief Agbaje Salami House, Ayeye, Ibadan
This is a replica of London Barclay’s Bank.
– Irefin Palace, Ibadan
An old palace with 250 rooms.
– Adebisi House, Idikan, Ibadan.
– Culinary Tourism
Oyo State is the food basket of Nigeria without its fertile land which can germinate, nurture and produces any agricultural products.
– Cultural festivals, Drums Arts and Craft
When it comes to cultural displays, dance, songs, arts, crafts, drums and festivals, no state can beat Oyo State.
It is because of this that the popular saying ‘ Aji se bi Oyo laari, Oyo kose bi baba enikokan.
That is Oyo is a pathfinder, always setting the pace for others to follow. Oyo will never trail the path of any sect.
When it comes to arts, culture, crafts, dance and drama, no state in Nigeria does it better.
– Oyo Beckons Investors
These and others are sub-sector of the economy in Oyo State waiting for investment and investors.
The opportunities are many, huge and waiting to be optimized.
– Environmental Factors
Security.:
Oyo State is one of the most secure states in Nigeria.
Apart from the regular security. agencies, Oyo state has planted and reinforced the Western Region Security Network code-named Amotekun.
-Accessibility :
Oyo State is accessible by
Road: Dual Carriage Way from Lagos
Train: Lagos- Ibadan Train.
Air: Ibadan Airport which was recently dualized and fixed with streetlights by this government under Omititun 1.0 led by Gov. Seyi Makinde.
Dry Port: Ibadan Dry Port, Lalupon.
– Incentives for the investors.
Tax Holiday
Infrastructural Allowance
Rural Development Allowance
Land Concession.
Legal Regime
Legal Framework and Statutory MOU
( ROI )
Where your investment is secured.
Thank you very much for listening.
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