Oyo State World Tourism Day 2025 boosts cultural revival as government and Women in Hospitality partner to preserve heritage and promote sustainability

Speaking at the National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, described tourism as a central pillar of the state’s cultural sustainability drive under Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 Roadmap.

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“Oyo State today is the most active in cultural promotion in the entire Southwest. We have revived festivals that were once at the brink of extinction, and people are now proud to identify with our heritage,” Olatunbosun said.

He recalled that in December 2023, UNESCO officially recognised the Sango Festival of Oyo as a world intangible cultural festival.

He also unveiled plans for the 2026 Egungun Festival, which will feature a symposium in collaboration with the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, to document and preserve cultural history.

Olatunbosun appealed to individuals, associations, and corporate bodies to support the government’s cultural initiatives, stressing that “the government cannot do it alone.”

WIHN Regional Director, Oluwakemi Olusola, praised the partnership, noting that although the Oyo State chapter was launched less than two months ago, the collaboration had already boosted its visibility and credibility.

“The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’.

Together, we are building not just an association but a community of strong women who have a voice in shaping the future of tourism,” she said.

The Curator of the National Museum of Unity, Pamela Otuka, described the event as historic, highlighting the vital role of women, culture, and hospitality in Nigeria’s sustainable tourism future.

“Hospitality is about welcome and human connection, and women are at the heart of it. As we celebrate World Tourism Day 2025, let us commit to championing women as leaders in tourism, embedding sustainability in every festival, and preserving our cultural heritage for generations to come,” she urged.

The day also featured panel discussions with leading stakeholders, including Olatunbosun, Otuka, Olanike Mustapha of Pams Travels, and Jumoke Olowo Waste.

They pledged to strengthen collaboration between government, cultural institutions, and the private sector to position Oyo State as a leader in cultural preservation and sustainable tourism.

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As part of the celebration, teams toured major heritage and tourism landmarks across Ibadan, including the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Irefin Palace, Captain Bower’s Tower, and the National Museum of Unity.