President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and other South-West governors will on Thursday, June 25, 2026, commission the newly redeveloped Premier Hotel on Mokola Hill. The 62-year-old landmark, rebuilt by Odu’a Investment Company, reopens as a modern hospitality destination 63 years after it first symbolised the Western Region’s industrial vision.
President Tinubu is expected to attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour, while Governor Makinde will serve as the Chief Host.
Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will be the Lead Host. Other hosts include Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.
Premier Hotel occupies a significant place in Nigeria’s post-independence history. It was established by the former Western Region Government through the Western Nigeria Development Corporation as part of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s industrialisation programme in the 1960s.
The facility was officially commissioned in 1963 as the WNTV/WTBS Hotel to complement the operations of the Western Nigeria Television and Television Service while providing quality accommodation for government officials, foreign visitors and business travellers.
At the time, it was among the first modern high-rise hotels outside Lagos and stood as a symbol of the Western Region’s developmental aspirations.
Over the years, Premier Hotel became one of Ibadan’s most recognisable landmarks, hosting presidents, governors, diplomats and entertainers.
The facility later evolved from WNTV Hotel to Premier Hotel under the management of Odu’a Investment Company, the successor to the Western Nigeria Development Corporation.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
