From Our Reporter
The Ekiti State Government has called for increased private investment in the tourism sector to unlock the economic potential of the state’s natural and cultural attractions.
The Director-General, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, who represented Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the 2026 World Tourism Day celebration at Arinta Waterfall, Ipole-Iloro, on Sunday, said the government was ready to work with communities and investors to develop tourism assets across the state.
Ojo-Lanre said Ekiti had a ready market for tourism businesses, particularly with the presence of seven universities and their large student populations.
He said the state was open to investors interested in developing tourism-related businesses, stressing that investment in the sector could create jobs, generate income and stimulate economic activities in communities.
“Ekiti is open for tourism investment and the return on investment is very high because there is demand. We have seven universities here in Ekiti and their students are always enthusiastic to visit tourist sites.
“Arinta Waterfall is one of them. We are very open for investment,” he said.
The celebration, held with the theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” also highlighted the need to deploy technology in promoting the state’s tourism attractions.
Ojo-Lanre said the government would support communities willing to develop their tourism assets, adding that tourism had moved beyond leisure to become an economic sector capable of transforming communities.
He said the choice of Arinta Waterfall for the celebration was aimed at drawing greater attention to the attraction and its investment potential.
According to him, Arinta is among Nigeria’s notable waterfalls and has seven waterfalls within the site.
Ojo-Lanre said the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence would also help communities promote their attractions, reach wider audiences and improve visitors’ experiences.
The Olupole of Ipole-Iloro Kingdom, Oba Ezekiel Oladele, called for further investment in the development of Arinta Waterfall, saying the site could become a leading ecotourism destination in Nigeria.
The monarch said the development of the waterfall required adequate infrastructure, professional management, environmental protection and private-sector investment.
He said developing the site would create employment opportunities for youths, generate income for the community, attract visitors and boost economic activities in the state.
Oba Oladele urged the government and investors to work with the people of Ipole-Iloro to develop the full potential of the waterfall.
He also called for the use of virtual tours, online booking systems, digital maps, social media and artificial intelligence to promote Arinta Waterfall to audiences within and outside Nigeria.
The monarch, however, urged stakeholders to ensure that tourism development did not undermine the environment and cultural heritage of the community.
He called on farmers operating within areas designated for the development and protection of the tourism corridor around Arinta Waterfall to vacate such areas in line with lawful directives and applicable government procedures.
Oba Oladele warned that indiscriminate farming and deforestation could damage the forest, vegetation and ecosystem supporting the waterfall.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, said the media would support efforts to promote Arinta Waterfall and other tourist attractions across the state.
Babatuyi, who chaired the occasion, said journalists had a responsibility to create awareness about the tourism potential of Ekiti and attract visitors and investors.
He urged the media to use digital platforms to tell the stories of the state’s tourist attractions and showcase its cultural and natural heritage to a global audience.
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Youth Inclusion, Mr. Ayo Ojo, said Ipole-Iloro was chosen for the celebration because of its tourism potential and hospitality.
Ojo said the event provided an opportunity to showcase Ekiti’s tourism assets to the world, particularly through artificial intelligence and digital technology.
He said Arinta Waterfall had been designated a “tourism laboratory” where AI technology could be used to promote Ekiti’s attractions on digital platforms.