Ogun State is setting its sights on a significant tourism revival as Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed plans to boost annual visitors to Olumo Rock from 20,000 to over 100,000 through a partnership with the renowned Nike Art Gallery.
Speaking during a visit by the gallery’s founder, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, to his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, Governor Abiodun announced that the state will convert an events hall at the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre into an art exhibition gallery to be managed by Nike Art Gallery.
“I went to Olumo Rock about a month ago and I decided that we needed to do something about restoring Olumo Rock to its old glory. From statistics, Olumo Rock hosts about 20,000 people a year in its current state, and I felt that we could increase that to at least ten times,” the governor said.
He added that the tourist site has already been temporarily closed for upgrades and will be ready by the second week of May, in time for the National Sports Festival expected to bring 15,000 visitors to Ogun.
“I told our team to shut the place down and ensure it is ready before the Sports Festival. I want those coming for the games to see not just Olumo Rock but other attractions like the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Ransome Kuti’s home, MKO Abiola’s home, the Centenary Hall in Ake, and the Adire market,” Abiodun said.
Highlighting his vision, he noted, “When I was there, I thought we need to have a befitting gallery at Olumo Rock. My mind went straight to you,” he told Davies-Okundaye. “They have a hall that has been used for events. I told them to shut it down. Practically, we want to bring it down and turn it into a gallery for you to use.”
The Nike Art Gallery, established in 1983 in Osogbo, Osun State, houses over 8,000 diverse artworks and provides training to hundreds of young performance artists and craftsmen.
“This shouldn’t be a little poky corner,” Abiodun emphasized. “It should be something big enough to present your artwork. Your gallery in Lagos has four floors. This new one will be a compact showcase of your work.”
Abiodun also pointed to improved infrastructure, such as the state’s roads, railway, and new airport, making Ogun more accessible. “Now that we’ve succeeded in having intra and inter-state roads in place, and with one of the best airports in Nigeria, you can now reach Ogun by road, air, rail—and soon, by sea,” he said.
The governor further disclosed plans to launch a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.
He reiterated his administration’s dedication to cultural promotion through initiatives like the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace and compulsory Adire-wearing policies. “Since 2019, we’ve supported Adire makers with solar dryers and equipment. We even made wearing Adire compulsory in the state.”
Cultural festivals like Ojude Oba and Lisabi Day have also received a push. “This year’s Ojude Oba will be one of the biggest,” he said. “It’s become an avenue for cultural expression, and we’ll keep pushing the boundaries in terms of culture and tourism.”
In her remarks, Chief (Mrs) Davies-Okundaye commended the governor’s cultural drive and confirmed her commitment to the Olumo Rock project.
“I am so happy. Today is one of my happiest days,” she said. “This gallery will bring many heads of state. The one I opened in Abuja has already hosted leaders from South Korea and the Czech Republic. Ogun is just 45 minutes away. With the rail service, it’s now even easier to bring people here.”
She also praised Governor Abiodun’s commitment to Adire. “Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting it for over 50 years,” she said. “You have shown undiluted love for Adire. When President Obasanjo was in power, all his Adire was from us. But it’s your administration that revived it when nobody was wearing it.”
“Look at the market you created for the women; it is a collaborative effort. Today, the only cloth we can call our own is Adire,” she added. “This is what we can sell to Europeans. Even though we have oil, Adire is our native textile, and thanks to your leadership, it is gaining global recognition.”
