Businessman and tourism advocate, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, has called for increased investment and international promotion of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State, saying the destination has the potential to become a leading tourism and hospitality centre in Africa….
Businessman and tourism advocate, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, has called for increased investment and international promotion of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State, saying the destination has the potential to become a leading tourism and hospitality centre in Africa.
Olowolafe made the call at Ikogosi Day 2026, where he served as Chairman and Chief Launcher.
He described the resort as one of Nigeria’s finest tourism destinations, citing its unique warm and cold springs, improved facilities, scenic environment and hospitality services.
According to him, Ikogosi has the natural and commercial potential to attract international tourists if it receives deliberate marketing and sustained investment.
Olowolafe, who said he had visited the resort several times as a child during family trips to Are-Ekiti, expressed satisfaction with the development he observed on his recent return.
He said the improvements demonstrated how private investment could unlock the value of natural attractions, stimulate economic activities and create opportunities for host communities.
Beyond conventional tourism, Olowolafe proposed positioning Ikogosi as a destination for international visitors, destination weddings, corporate retreats, milestone celebrations and other major social and business events.
He said such a strategy could generate economic benefits beyond the resort by attracting business for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, farmers, artisans and traders in surrounding communities.
Olowolafe also pointed to the Ikogosi 17.5-kilometre race, which attracted participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia, as an example of how sporting events could raise the destination’s profile.
He advocated regular sporting competitions, cultural festivals and lifestyle events to attract visitors and establish Ikogosi as a destination with year-round activities.
The tourism advocate stressed that maintaining high hospitality standards would be essential to the resort’s ambitions, noting that cleanliness, courteous staff, quality service and attention to detail would encourage visitors to return.
He recounted the experience of a visitor who was so impressed with the resort’s environment and services that he considered extending his stay by another week and working remotely from the facility.
Olowolafe said a thriving tourism industry around Ikogosi could create jobs, support small businesses, encourage infrastructure development and provide sustainable opportunities for young people.
He, however, stressed the need for collaboration among the Ekiti State Government, private investors, tourism professionals, hospitality institutions and the host community to realise the resort’s potential.
He identified international partnerships, improved destination marketing and sustained investment as important steps towards raising Ikogosi’s profile beyond Nigeria.
Olowolafe said the resort should become a destination that visitors deliberately choose for holidays, celebrations, retreats and international engagements.
