The federal ministry of art, culture, tourism and creative economy and the Ogun state government and have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive the implementation of cultural and creative projects in the state.
The pact, signed on Monday by Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, and Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism and creative economy, aims to establish a renewed hope cultural village, preserve historical sites, build capacity for young creatives, and promote economic empowerment.
Speaking during the event, Abiodun said the MoU is a bold step toward repositioning Ogun as a hub for cultural tourism and creative enterprise.
He described tourism as a lucrative sector with untapped potential, noting that the state’s renowned cultural festivals including Orona Day, Lisabi Day, Remo Day, and the Ojude Oba Festival serve as rich tourist attractions.
“Tourism provides employment opportunities by keeping people engaged. Culture, on the other hand, unites our people,” the governor said.
“Our people are naturally creative but often lack the platform to express their talents. With the increasing interest of young people in our cultural heritage, we are beginning to witness a reawakening of identity and pride in our roots.
“We want to use tourism as a platform to project our state even further. Countries with similar backgrounds to Nigeria have transitioned from relying on oil to making tourism their top revenue source — and that’s a path we too can take.”
Abiodun noted that his administration had already invested in infrastructure to support the tourism ecosystem and was now working to rehabilitate major tourism sites across the state.
