Ikogosi Day 2026: Olowolafe Unveils Vision To Position Ikogosi As Global Tourism Destination

The Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has called for deliberate investments, strategic partnerships and international collaborations to position Ikogosi as a premier global tourism destination.

Olowolafe, who advocated an expanded development vision for the community, said the remarkable transformation of the Ikogosi Warm Springs Tourist Centre provided a strong foundation for attracting international visitors and unlocking the community’s enormous tourism potential.

He made the submission at the 2026 Ikogosi Day celebration, where he served as Chairman and Chief Launcher of the Oba’s Palace project.

The renowned medical doctor-turned-industrialist maintained that the mission to attract global attention to Ekiti must be pursued intentionally, noting that Ikogosi’s historical and cultural narrative, which he traced to Ile-Ife, offered an additional attraction beyond its globally renowned natural wonder.

He observed that strategic partnerships had facilitated the remodelling of the resort, making it imperative for stakeholders to attract the necessary local and international traffic to maximise its economic potential.

Referencing the recent Ikogosi 17.5-kilometre race, the Pro-Chancellor of Miva Open University described the event as an impressive demonstration of how private-sector initiatives could complement local hospitality and community participation.

“This year’s edition drew runners from across Nigeria, alongside athletes from Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Beyond athletics, we must bring the same imagination to lifestyle and executive tourism. Our ambition should be to make Ikogosi a premier international destination for weddings, milestone birthdays, corporate retreats, and landmark gatherings,” he noted.

He also advocated partnerships with leading international hospitality institutions to benchmark teaching standards and service delivery.

“We should also pursue alliances with leading international hospitality institutes to benchmark our teaching and service. World-class hospitality must become our signature,” he added.

OL0WOLAFE MOBILISES FRIENDS, ASSOCIATES FOR OBA’S PALACE PROJECT

Demonstrating his commitment to the development of Ikogosi, Olowolafe disclosed that he had mobilised more than 30 friends and associates in Lagos and Abuja to support the construction of a befitting palace for the traditional ruler.

He explained that the friends and associates, who equally admired the leadership model of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and were passionate about Ekiti’s development, had joined him in taking responsibility for the fundraising initiative.

According to him, the palace should serve not only as a befitting abode for the traditional ruler but also as a centre for preserving Ikogosi’s traditions, history and cultural heritage.

“Today’s Oba’s Palace Project gives us a powerful anchor. Its primary purpose is to uphold our revered traditional institution and unite this community. As we build it, let us also design it to preserve and showcase Ikogosi’s heritage, so that visitors meet not merely a scenic resort, but a proud people with a rich story to tell,” he stated.

OYEBANJI COMMENDS OLOWOLAFE’S INITIATIVE

In his remarks, Governor Biodun Oyebanji commended Olowolafe for his central role in mobilising resources for the palace project, explaining that he deliberately entrusted him with the responsibilities of Chairman and Chief Launcher because the initiative was community-driven and not a government project.

The Governor urged the community to remain focused on the original purpose of the initiative, stressing that it must not be diverted from its objective of providing a befitting edifice for the traditional institution.

He noted that the approach adopted would help prevent misconceptions and misleading narratives about the project.

SEEKS INDUSTRIAL EXPLOITATION OF EKITI’S NATURAL RESOURCES

Beyond tourism, Olowolafe challenged the state government and relevant stakeholders to extend the development drive to the industrial opportunities presented by Ekiti’s natural resources.

He maintained that the state must move beyond identifying its mineral deposits to determining their industrial specifications, manufacturing potential and market value.

The industrialist expressed optimism that Ekiti could make significant strides towards becoming a globally relevant economic destination through stronger collaboration among the executive and legislative arms of government, academic institutions, private investors and other development stakeholders.

OLOWOLAFE’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOOTPRINT IN EKITI

The Chairman of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation has also established a record of significant community development interventions in Ekiti State.

In 2025, he established the Gbemisola Olowolafe Memorial Secondary School in Are-Ekiti in memory of his late wife, Gbemisola.

The institution was conceived as a modern educational facility to expand access to quality learning for children in Are-Ekiti and neighbouring communities.

The school which has been handed over to the Ekiti State Government, boasts modern classrooms, internet connectivity, sporting facilities and digital learning infrastructure, among other facilities.

Another major intervention is the Gbemisola Olowolafe Memorial Technology (GOMTECH) ICT Centre in Are-Ekiti, a 40-seat digital learning facility established to expose young people and other members of the community to emerging technologies and enhance their digital skills.