Ogun Government Transfers Olumoru Rock Centre to Investor in New MoU Deal

In a strategic move to revitalise its tourism sector and drive economic growth, the Ogun State Government has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Whatadeal, a private tourism, lifestyle, and technology firm. This partnership grants Whatadeal the mandate to manage the activities and operations of the iconic Olumo Rock.

The official handover took place at the historic site in the Ikija area of Abeokuta. The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, finalised the agreement, signalling a new era of professional management at one of Nigeria’s most famous landmarks.

During the signing ceremony, Hon. Fagbayi emphasised that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are now essential for sustainable development and increasing the state’s internal revenue (IGR).

Fagbayi, who quoted the popular saying “government has no business in business,” posited that the PPP would drive more attractions and positively influence the prospects of tourist sites beyond expectations.

Supporting this vision, the Director General of Public-Private Partnerships in Ogun State, Barrister Dapo Oduwole, noted that the state is committed to attracting top-tier investors to ensure high standards and increased revenue.

“Public-private partnerships would continue to create an enabling environment for investors to come from all over the world to invest in our assets and our public enterprise in Ogun State,” he said.

“Ogun State deserves the best. You will see that there was no art gallery in Olumorock until now, but now you can see Nike Art Gallery, just like in Lekki. The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, is doing his best to ensure that more investors come to Ogun. If you look at public-private partnership projects, you will see that we have a hospital in Oke-Mosan, which will be commissioned soon, to provide the best health facilities in Ogun.”

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The Managing Director of Whatadeal, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, expressed the firm’s commitment to transforming Olumo Rock into a premier international destination. He revealed plans to introduce modern facilities, including reality centres, game arcades, and funfairs, to enhance the visitor experience.

Bank-Olemoh stated that its goal is to make Olumo Rock a “must-see” for any international traveller visiting Nigeria.

“We have just concluded the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the management of the Olumorock Whatadeal company, and we have chosen to hold this press conference to inform the world that a professional has been appointed to manage these facilities, which is the purpose of our gathering this afternoon.

“We have just signed the agreement for managing Olumorock.” It’s a tremendous honour for us. Olumorock is one of the most iconic tourist sites in Nigeria. Of course, it is Africa, and it is exciting to us that we’ll be working closely with the Ogun State government and the commissioner of tourism to ensure that not only do we take them much higher, but we make sure that if anybody comes to Nigeria. If you haven’t visited Olumorock, then you haven’t truly experienced Nigeria. That’s our objective.

“So we can tell you clearly how many people have been to Olumo from this date to that date, so that we can give you categorically.

“Also, what are we going to do? We will ensure we maintain the standard set here and continue to improve it. Like I told you, our vision is obvious. When discussing Nigerian tourism, we want you to know that Olumorock is a must-see.

“We say in our company that there are three things you should do if you come to Nigeria to visit Olumorock. One of them is to decide for yourself. So that’s our objective. That’s what the governor wants to achieve. That’s what the honourable commissioner wants to achieve, and that’s what we commit to do as it is,” he said.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the new agreement regarding Olumo Rock? 

The Ogun State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a private company, Whatadeal, to take over the management and daily activities of Olumo Rock.

Who is “Whatadeal”? 

Whatadeal is a privately owned company specialising in tourism, lifestyle, and technology. They have been tasked with professionalising the management of Olumo Rock.

Why did the Ogun State Government decide to hand over management to a private firm? 

The government aims to leverage Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to improve the standard of the facility, attract more tourists, and increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

What new features are coming to Olumo Rock? 

Visitors can expect several upgrades, including the addition of the Nike Art Gallery, virtual-reality centres, game arcades, and other funfairs.

What is the ultimate goal of this partnership? 

The goal is to elevate Olumo Rock to a top-tier international tourist destination, making it one of the top three reasons a foreigner would choose to visit Nigeria.