Oyo State government is actively prioritizing sports tourism as a key engine for economic growth and diversification. According to a recent report, the state is leveraging events like the Oluyole Golf Tournament and other sports initiatives to attract visitors, create jobs, and boost revenue across hospitality, retail, and transportation sectors.
At the International Tourism Summit Oyo State 2025 (July 22–24), Governor Seyi Makinde outlined the “Tourism Reset Agenda”, positioning tourism—not agriculture or manufacturing—as a long-term economic pillar. The plan emphasizes investor partnerships, upgraded infrastructure, and heritage-led development to build a self-sustaining tourism economy.
Upcoming major projects include an upgrade to Agodi Gardens, aiming for international standards, and the development of five tourism-ready sites inviting investors from both Nigeria and abroad.
Oyo is targeting youth and amateur sports events, golf tournaments, and regional sports festivals to draw sports travellers. Globally, the sports tourism sector is booming: in 2023 alone, it generated a direct spending impact of $52.2 billion, $128 billion in total economic impact, supported 757,600 jobs, and produced $20.1 billion in tax revenues.
These trends suggest that well‑organized sporting events can significantly benefit local economies—from hotel stays to service spend—making sports tourism a strategic choice for Oyo State.
Through its reset agenda, the state is forming a Tourism Investor Liaison Unit, promoting transparent communication and a tourism compact to streamline partnerships and projects.
The administration is also investing in infrastructure: improving roads, enhancing Agodi Gardens, and working toward upgrading Ibadan Airport to international status, with plans to receive wide-bodied aircraft by year-end. These upgrades aim to boost connectivity and access for tourists visiting sporting and cultural events.
Governor Makinde reaffirmed in mid‑April 2025 that tourism is now firmly part of Oyo’s economic strategy, with visible progress being made through ongoing investments and policy support.
Sports tourism is trending globally: it attracts families and youth groups, stimulates local spending, and drives occupancy in hotels and restaurants.
Oyo is blending heritage, culture, and sport to broaden its tourism appeal—positioning itself to host domestic and international visitors in a sustainable way.
Policies and infrastructure are being activated to enable growth—from liaison offices to road upgrades and event hosting capacities.
