Olowolafe Pushes Tourism, Industrial Growth as Ikogosi Targets Global Investment
Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Chancellor of Ekiti State University, has called for strategic partnerships between government, private investors and academic institutions to transform Ikogosi-Ekiti into an international tourism and industrial hub.
Olowolafe made the call on Saturday while speaking as Chairman and Chief Launcher at Ikogosi Day 2026, Thanksgiving and the launch of the Oba’s Palace Project, held at Giriwa Playing Ground, Mustard Seed, Ikogosi-Ekiti.
He said the community’s natural attractions, mineral resources and growing private-sector investments offered significant opportunities for tourism development, manufacturing, job creation and economic prosperity.
According to him, Ikogosi must move beyond relying on its natural beauty to developing a comprehensive tourism economy that attracts visitors, encourages longer stays and generates business for local enterprises.
He identified the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort as a major asset that could position the community as a premier international destination for weddings, milestone birthdays, corporate retreats and other landmark gatherings.
The Chancellor cited the recent Ikogosi 17.5km Race as an example of how private-sector initiatives could boost the community’s tourism profile, noting that the event attracted participants from different parts of Nigeria as well as Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia.
He commended the organisers, led by Makinde Araoye, and expressed optimism about building stronger partnerships to make subsequent editions bigger and more internationally competitive.
Olowolafe, however, stressed that natural attractions alone would not guarantee sustainable tourism growth without quality hospitality services, including cleanliness, courteous staff, professional standards and attention to detail.
He disclosed that a visitor to the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort had recently commended its facilities and services, adding that the positive experience reinforced the need to sustain high hospitality standards.
He also called for a stronger partnership between the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, and the resort to provide students of Hospitality Management Technology with practical industry experience.
According to him, the institution has already produced two sets of National Diploma graduates in the discipline, combining classroom instruction with practical industrial training.
He urged the resort to deepen its collaboration with the institution and explore partnerships with leading international hospitality institutes to expose students to global standards and professional practices.
Read Also:
On industrial development, Olowolafe challenged the state government, universities and private investors to explore the commercial potential of Ikogosi’s mineral resources, particularly clay and kaolin deposits.
He specifically tasked the Head of the Department of Geology at Ekiti State University, Professor Yinka Aturamu, and other researchers to establish the precise industrial specifications of the deposits and identify opportunities for viable manufacturing enterprises.
He said the objective should be to translate the community’s natural resources into tangible economic benefits for residents through marketable skills, sustainable employment, supply contracts and thriving businesses.
“For a young person growing up in Ikogosi, the result must be tangible: a marketable skill, a steady job, a supply contract, or a thriving enterprise,” he said.
The Chancellor also highlighted the investment activities of Saroafrica Group, which acquired Gossy Warm Springs in 2018 and restored the plant to full production in 2019.
Describing the investment as evidence of the economic opportunities available in the community, Olowolafe commended the group’s leadership for demonstrating how local resources could be transformed into viable businesses.
He said the combination of government support, academic research and private-sector investment could accelerate Ikogosi’s transition from a tourism destination into a broader economic hub.
On the Oba’s Palace Project, Olowolafe said the initiative was primarily designed to strengthen the traditional institution, promote unity and preserve the cultural heritage of the community.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the proposed palace would also showcase Ikogosi’s history and identity, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the people and their heritage beyond the community’s scenic attractions.
He disclosed that more than 35 individuals had indicated their willingness to support the project following consultations with friends and business associates in Lagos and Abuja.
The Chief Launcher subsequently called on sons and daughters of Ikogosi, business leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative, setting a fundraising target of ₦1 billion.
He commended the Regent of Ikogosi, Princess Omobola Adepoju, for her commitment to community service, noting that she returned from Ibadan to serve the community following the transition of her father.
Olowolafe also praised Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for providing leadership and creating opportunities for development partnerships, while expressing confidence that sustained collaboration would deliver lasting benefits to the people.
The event was attended by Governor Oyebanji; the First Lady, Professor Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; the Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole; traditional rulers, government officials, business leaders and indigenes of Ikogosi at home and in the diaspora.
