Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has affirmed that his administration’s commitment to expanding the state’s economy through tourism is yielding results.
Speaking on Saturday during the commissioning of Kunle Afolayan Productions’ Film Village and Resort in Igbojaye, the governor said the initiative marks a major milestone in the state’s tourism development. He described the project as a clear demonstration that the government’s focus on tourism is bearing fruit.
Makinde also disclosed that the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Alakia, Ibadan, will receive a wide-bodied aircraft before year-end, signaling its upgrade to international status.
Congratulating filmmaker Kunle Afolayan on the achievement, the governor pledged full support to ensure the project’s success. He directed the Itesiwaju Local Government to immediately begin repairs on the Okaka-Igbojaye Road leading to the village and announced plans to install a solar mini-grid and a dedicated electricity line from Okaka to the facility.
He encouraged both local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in Oyo State, highlighting its openness to business and value-driven partnerships.
“This is a remarkable feat by Kunle Afolayan, whose vision has brought us together today,” Makinde said. “This project aligns with our drive for infrastructural development and economic expansion through sectors like tourism.”
He recalled his administration’s development blueprints—the 2019–2023 Roadmap for Accelerated Development, and the current 2023–2027 Roadmap for Sustainable Development—which added tourism and solid minerals to the pillars of growth.
“The KAP Film Village is proof that we are delivering on our vision. Though Kunle Afolayan is not from Oyo, he chose this location, and now Igbojaye is on the global tourism map,” he added.
Makinde assured that his government would create an enabling environment for businesses, pledging to ensure stable power supply and road access to the film village before his next visit in December.
He also revealed plans for airstrips in Otu and Igbeti, initially intended for security surveillance but now to be integrated into the state’s tourism framework.
“With good roads and air connectivity, reaching this location from Ibadan will be seamless. The road from the village to Okaka will be rehabilitated, and I will personally approve the funding,” he stated.
Reiterating tourism as a cornerstone of Oyo’s economic agenda, Makinde emphasized the state’s strategic proximity to Lagos, its growing infrastructure, and the ongoing development of a regional airport in Ibadan.
Present at the event were Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal; Special Adviser on Security, COMPOL Fatai Owoseni (rtd); and Director-General of the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency (OYSIPA), Mr. Tilewa Folami.
