Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to leveraging tourism as a vital tool for economic development as he commissioned the Kunle Afolayan Productions (KAP) Film Village and Resort in Igbojaye, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, while delivering his keynote speech at the commissioning event on Saturday, emphasized that the state was strategically positioning itself as Nigeria’s leading hub for tourism and creative investments. According to Makinde, the new film village represents a significant milestone in the actualization of his administration’s economic roadmap.
“This particular project speaks directly to the heart of everything we are working towards in Oyo State,” Makinde said. “From infrastructure to creative development, and most importantly, tourism as a transformative industry. The Kunle Afolayan Film Village is proof that our economic diversification efforts are yielding tangible results.”
The sprawling resort, developed by award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, features state-of-the-art film production studios, accommodation, event spaces, and cultural amenities designed to attract filmmakers, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from within and outside Nigeria.
Makinde commended Afolayan for choosing Oyo State as the location for the multi-billion naira project, despite not being an indigene of the state. He described the development as a “gift to the people of Oyo” and a bold investment that has placed Igbojaye on the global tourism map.
“This is a big win not just for Igbojaye or Oyo State, but for the entire creative and tourism industry in Nigeria,” Makinde said. “Afolayan has brought global attention to this serene town, and we as a government will do everything possible to ensure the success of this initiative.”
As part of efforts to provide infrastructure support for the facility, Makinde directed the Itesiwaju Local Government to commence immediate rehabilitation of the Okaka-Igbojaye road to ease access to the village. Additionally, the state government will construct a solar mini-grid to power the facility and will also extend a dedicated electricity line from nearby Okaka.
“I have spoken with the Commissioner for Energy, and we are committed to powering this village sustainably,” Makinde added. “By December, when I return here for the holidays, there must be constant power supply. That is the standard we are setting.”
The governor also disclosed plans to complete the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Alakia, Ibadan. The airport, according to him, is expected to receive wide-bodied aircraft before the end of the year, a move that will significantly boost air connectivity and tourism access to Oyo State.
“From Ibadan airport, it will only take about 20 minutes by caravan aircraft to reach Otu and another 15 minutes to get to Igbojaye. With the improved road network we are building, travel to this location will become swift and seamless,” he said.
The KAP Film Village aligns with the second-term development blueprint titled “Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023-2027,” which expands upon the first-term pillars of education, health, security, and infrastructure to include tourism and solid minerals as new channels for economic expansion.
“We believe Oyo’s proximity to Lagos and connectivity to other regions give us an advantage,” the governor stated. “This is why we are inviting more local and international investors to bring their ideas here. We will provide the enabling environment for them to succeed.”
Governor Makinde was accompanied at the event by top government officials including the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke; Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal; Special Adviser on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (Rtd); and the Director-General of the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency (OYSIPA), Mr. Tilewa Folami.
Also present were key figures from Nigeria’s film and tourism industry who hailed the project as a “game-changer” for the creative economy in the Southwest and beyond.
In his remarks, Kunle Afolayan expressed gratitude to the Oyo State Government and the host community for their support. He noted that the project, which has been in the works for years, was inspired by a desire to create a lasting legacy that would celebrate African storytelling and culture.
“Today is the beginning of a new era in African cinema and tourism,” Afolayan said. “We hope this film village will serve as a melting pot for creatives from across the continent and help reposition Nigeria as a top destination for film production and cultural exploration.”
As tourism continues to gain prominence in Oyo’s development agenda, the Makinde administration is leaving no stone unturned in turning the state into a thriving investment destination where culture, creativity, and commerce intersect.