Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has approved a series of programmes and projects aimed at expanding the state’s tourism and creative industry.

The initiative, according to Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the Governor, is designed to increase tourist inflow to cultural and heritage sites across the state by over 60 percent within the next one year.

Beyond direct government intervention, the administration has adopted a public-private partnership (PPP) model to drive the development of key tourist attractions, including the Erin Ijesa Waterfalls in Oriade Local Government. The PPP framework, officials say, will help strengthen financing and ensure sustainability of upgraded tourism sites.

The phased upgrade of cultural and heritage sites across the state is being coordinated by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, with efforts already underway to prepare some of the sites for UNESCO recognition.

Among the first batch of approved projects are the Ifá Agbaye Temple in Ile-Ife, which attracts global visitors during the annual Ifa Day celebration; the Iwude Ijesa Festival Centre, designed to promote cultural tourism and draw the attention of both UNESCO and international investors; and the Sango Timi Shrine project, which includes the preservation of the sacred grove, as well as the development of an auditorium, pavilion, art and craft workshop, museum and kitchen facilities.

The Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also remains a focal point of government attention.

Governor Adeleke has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the annual Osun Osogbo Festival as a global event of statutory backing.

In approving the projects, the governor emphasized strict adherence to budgetary provisions and the state’s procurement process, stressing that all projects will be transparently documented and published on the state’s procurement portal.

“Expanding tourist inflow is a cardinal programme within our agenda. As the cradle of the Yoruba nation, we have a lot to showcase to deepen the tourism industry,” Adeleke said.

He added: “We have identified many cultural sites and directed a phased implementation of upgrades across the state. There are several potential UNESCO-recognised sites in Osun, and our goal is to widen global recognition and support through these upgrades.

“Our administration is focused on diversifying the economy by boosting tourism, and we are pursuing this through strong partnerships with the private sector. At the same time, we are committed to fiscal, budgetary and procurement transparency. Our website contains project updates from award to implementation.”