Action Alliance (AA) governorship candidate, Comrade Sikiru Bayo Titilola-Sodo, has set out a Tourism plan to grow Oyo State’s economy, lower dependence on monthly federal allocations, and expand local business opportunities.
Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Saturday, the former labor leader said his administration would back the sector with state funding, build clear public-private partnerships, establish a backing legal framework, and hand sector management over to industry specialists.
Titilola-Sodo noted that famous landmarks across the state—including Idere Hills in Ibarapa, the suspended lake in Ado-Awaye, and the tourist sites across Oke-Ogun—have suffered years of neglect. He argued that with proper funding, these locations can become main drivers of state revenue.
“We shall deliberately fund the tourism sector to deepen the economy of Oyo State,” Titilola-Sodo said.
“Tourism is not a side project; it is an industry capable of creating real jobs for our youth and raising our internal revenue. Our administration will give it the financial support it needs.”
To fix the lack of decent accommodation near key attractions, the AA candidate promised a clear Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to build hotels, resorts, and rest areas close to major sites.
Under the plan, the state will focus on delivering basic infrastructure—such as good roads, security, power supply, and land documentation—while private investors handle hotel construction and management.
“Government has no business running hotels directly, but it must create the right environment for private capital,” he explained.
“We will encourage PPP arrangements so visitors have comfortable places to stay. People shouldn’t just visit our sites for two hours and leave; they need to stay overnight, spend money in local communities, and want to return.”
Addressing policy instability and bureaucracy, Titilola-Sodo pledged to work with the State House of Assembly to pass a comprehensive tourism law. This legal framework will protect investors, regulate operators, and guarantee policy continuity across changing administrations.
He added that his government will hand over daily management, promotion, and policy design to trained tourism professionals rather than political appointees.
“We will work directly with specialists and key stakeholders in the industry to handle the sector,” Titilola-Sodo said. “Square pegs will no longer sit in round holes. The practitioners who understand international standards and market realities will take charge of our state’s tourism board.”
The proposed plan targets balanced economic development across Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Ibarapa. By linking rural heritage sites with urban hospitality markets, the initiative aims to build local business hubs, create jobs for rural residents, and reduce youth migration into cities.
