Ogun Govt, Lai Mohammed Push for Tourism Revival as Ex-Minister Condemns Negative Narratives

"You cannot sell a country you consistently denigrate," says Lai Mohammed • Ogun unveils strategic plan to make Olumo Rock a global heritage hub

ABEOKUTA — In a renewed drive to reposition Nigeria’s tourism sector as a major economic powerhouse, the Ogun State Government and former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, have called for a unified front to revive the industry, warning that the persistent "demarketing" of the country by citizens is neutralizing government efforts.

This position was canvassed on Sunday at the Olumo Rock Tourist Complex in Abeokuta during a high-level interactive session themed “Experiencing Olumo: Celebrating Heritage, Inspiring Tourism.” The event also marked the presentation of Mohammed’s new book, "Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration."

A Call for National Rebranding

Alhaji Mohammed argued that while states like Ogun are investing heavily in upgrading heritage sites, these efforts risk being undermined by a relentless culture of negativity on the national stage.

He cautioned that tourism cannot flourish in an atmosphere where citizens actively project a chaotic or dangerous image of their homeland to the international community.

“Those who constantly badmouth Nigeria are, wittingly or unwittingly, acting as enemies of our culture and tourism sector,” the former Minister warned. “You cannot consistently speak ill of your own country and expect foreign tourists to see it as an attractive destination. What we need now is to project our assets, not amplify our challenges.”

Aligning with the former Minister’s call, the Ogun State Government unveiled its aggressive roadmap to turn the state into Nigeria’s premier tourism destination.

The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Sesan Fagbayi, disclosed that the revitalization of the Olumo Rock complex is just the pilot phase of a broader strategy. He noted that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is actively pursuing Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to unlock the revenue potential of heritage sites across the state.

Reinforcing this commitment, Mr. Bola Basibo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, stated:

“The Governor is determined to make Olumo Rock the foremost tourist site in the state. Beyond the physical climbing of the rock, we are transforming this location into a hub for cultural dialogue, historical learning, and tourism engagement.”

Lai Mohammed further tasked both Federal and State governments to look beyond oil and see tourism as the "new oil." Citing World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) data, he reminded stakeholders that global tourism contributes over $10 trillion to the world economy.

“What we need is for governments at all levels to provide stronger incentives to investors in tourism and the creative industries. That is a winning strategy for Nigeria,” he added.

The event served as a melting pot for policy discussion, attended by key state officials including the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape.

The consensus was clear: for Nigeria’s tourism to survive, the infrastructure upgrades in places like Ogun State must be matched by a positive change in the national narrative.