Renowned Nigerian filmmaker and cultural entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan has publicly commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for fulfilling his promise to reconstruct the 23-kilometre Okaka–Igbojaye–KAP Film Village Road. The reconstruction project, which connects several rural communities in Itesiwaju Local Government Area—including Okaka, Otu, Igbojaye, and Komu—is being lauded as a major infrastructural and creative milestone for the state.
Afolayan, the visionary behind the KAP Film Village and Resort, expressed his appreciation in a heartfelt Instagram post, describing the road as more than just an asphalt project. “It’s a corridor of possibility—for filmmakers, for farmers, for young creatives, and for an entire local economy ready to rise,” he wrote.
Opened in April 2025, the KAP Film Village and Resort has rapidly gained recognition as one of Africa’s premier creative destinations. Located in the serene landscapes of Oyo State, the resort has hosted notable productions, including Netflix’s Aníkúlápó and Ijogbon, as well as creative residencies and talent development initiatives.
According to Afolayan, the newly reconstructed road is expected to significantly improve access to the facility and enhance its ability to attract more international film projects, tourists, educational programs, and industry collaborations. Beyond the creative sector, the road’s reconstruction will also boost transportation for farmers, traders, students, and residents across the region.
“This development positions Oyo as a state truly investing in its creative economy,” Afolayan stated. “With improved infrastructure, KAP Village is set to host more productions, residencies, and educational programs that empower the next generation of African creatives.”
Afolayan praised Governor Makinde’s holistic approach to development, calling the governor’s decision to blend infrastructure with cultural investment a “strategic masterstroke”—particularly as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy through tourism, film, and other creative industries.
The KAP Group, in a statement, extended its gratitude to the governor, acknowledging his commitment to transforming rural areas through innovation and connectivity. “We at KAP Group specially thank the visionary governor for his dedication to the development of the entire Oyo State,” the group said.
The road reconstruction also aligns with the broader goals of the Makinde-led administration, which has repeatedly emphasized infrastructure development, education, and youth empowerment as key pillars of its governance strategy.
Experts in the creative sector have described this move as a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s soft power economy. With the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) ranked among the largest globally, providing the necessary infrastructure to support film tourism and rural creative hubs is seen as essential to sustaining long-term growth.
The KAP Film Village and Resort is designed to serve as a multifunctional space, including film production studios, training academies, lodgings, and recreational facilities.
The 23km road will reduce travel time for cast and crew, boost local transportation networks, and improve logistics for future productions.
The project has also inspired conversations around replicating similar creative and infrastructural initiatives in other states across Nigeria.
As Oyo State continues to position itself as a beacon of creative and infrastructural excellence, stakeholders are hopeful that this model will inspire public-private partnerships in other parts of Nigeria.