Osun's Tourism: A Sleeping Giant Abandoned by Adeleke.... By Adebayo Adedeji

As Osun State prepares to welcome thousands of local and international visitors for the grand finale of the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival, concerns are mounting over the condition of the state’s major tourism assets. In this opinion article, media practitioner and APC campaign spokesman, Adebayo Adedeji, argues that the Adeleke administration has failed to harness the enormous economic potential of tourism despite Osun’s rich cultural and natural heritage. He points to the deplorable road leading to the UNESCO-listed Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, the alleged neglect of Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls, and what he describes as poor management of the state’s tourism resources. Adedeji contends that Osun’s tourism sector remains a “sleeping giant” and presents the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), as offering an alternative vision for revitalising the industry.........

As Osun State prepares to host the grand finale of the globally celebrated Osun-Osogbo Festival next week, it is both heartbreaking and embarrassing that the road leading to the revered Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove---one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nigeria---has been left in a deplorable state. Instead of presenting a welcoming gateway to one of Africa's most treasured cultural heritage sites, visitors are confronted with a picture of abandonment and neglect.

Sadly, the same story is told at the famous Erin-Ijesa (Olumirin) Waterfalls, one of Nigeria's most iconic natural attractions. Discovered in 1140 AD, the waterfall is famous for its cool, flowing water, beautiful green surroundings and the stunning view from its seventh level. The site came under harsh media review of abandonment in 2024. As usual, Governor Ademola Adeleke rushed to the site to shed crocodile tears. He publicly promised to revive it into a world-class tourist destination. But after the cry, meant for camera and public relations, nothing meaningful has happened. The promises have amounted to nothing more than noise, rhetoric and empty image making.

Tourism remains one of the greatest untapped economic opportunities in Osun State. Across the world, governments generate enormous revenue from cultural festivals, heritage sites and eco-tourism. Osun possesses all the ingredients to become Nigeria's tourism capital, yet these priceless assets continue to waste away due to poor planning, neglect and lack of vision.

The tragedy is reflected in the state's own financial records. Last year, the Osun State Government declared a paltry ₦21,000 (Twenty-One Thousand Naira Only) as revenue generated from all its tourist sites in twelve months. Such a figure raises serious concerns. It suggests either that the government has completely failed to attract deserving tourists because of the deplorable condition of these facilities, or that the actual revenue generated was stolen by government officials. Whichever is the case, the people of Osun deserve far better management of these invaluable public assets.

There is, however, hope on the horizon. The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has made tourism development a key component of his 7-Point Prosperity Agenda. He has pledged to preserve and promote Osun's rich cultural heritage while transforming the state's abundant natural attractions into engines of economic growth, employment and shared prosperity.

AMBO is a man whose record inspires confidence. Beginning November 27, 2026, his administration will give Osun's tourism sector the attention it deserves. The neglected roads leading to our heritage sites will no longer be symbols of abandonment but gateways to prosperity. Our cultural treasures will be preserved, properly marketed, and developed to international standards.

By the time the Osun-Osogbo Festival comes around next year, Osun people can look forward with confidence to a Sacred Grove and other tourism assets wearing a splendid new look---befitting their global status and capable of attracting visitors and investments from across Nigeria and the world.

• ADEDEJI, a media practitioner, is Secretary Media and Publicity Committee as well as Team Leader Digital Media Committee, Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council