• Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun says Olumo Rock revenue rose from about N3m yearly to N40m monthly after refurbishment
• Free entry was initially introduced to encourage cultural tourism but was later ended due to overcrowding and safety concerns
• The government plans to concession Olumo Rock to a private operator for better management

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has said the refurbishment of the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta has significantly increased the site’s revenue and strengthened its position as one of Nigeria’s leading tourist attractions.

The Ogun State governor said the facility had been shut down temporarily to allow for renovation works aimed at improving its appeal, visitor experience and overall commercial value.

Abiodun spoke on Thursday, April 16, during the commissioning of the 5.5-kilometre Elega–Miliki–Saje–Bode-Olude–Alhaji Sugar Road in Abeokuta, covering parts of Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South local government areas.

According to him, Olumo Rock was generating only about N3m to N4m annually before the intervention because of its poor condition at the time.

The governor said the tourist centre has grown in visibility and now ranks among the most popular attractions in the country.

“I restored Olumo Rock that has become probably number one or number two tourist site in Nigeria.

“If you Google tourist sites in Nigeria, Olumo Rock will be the first to appear.

“When I assumed office, Olumo Rock was generating probably about 3–4 million naira annually.

“That 3–4 million naira annually was the revenue generated by Olumo Rock when I became governor.

“When I shut it down and carried out the refurbishment of Olumo Rock, it began to generate about 10 million a week, about 40 million a month, compared to 3 million a year,” he said.

The state government reopened the tourist centre months ago after renovation works and introduced temporary free entry to attract more visitors and encourage interest in cultural tourism.

Officials said the move was designed to help residents and tourists reconnect with the historical importance of the site while also supporting businesses around the area.

However, the government later ended the free-entry policy, citing overcrowding and safety concerns caused by the high number of visitors.

To improve operations and sustain revenue growth, the Ogun State Government later announced plans to concession the tourist centre to a private operator.

Olumo Rock remains one of Nigeria’s most visited cultural landmarks and continues to play a major role in Ogun State’s tourism strategy.

Governor Dapo Abiodun warns against Sharia Court in Ogun

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun had made it clear that no Sharia court is authorised to operate in the state.

Governor Dapo clarified that Sharia courts could not be lawfully set up by individuals or groups without proper legal authorisation.

The government emphasised that Ogun State only recognises courts established under the Nigerian Constitution and made it clear that a Sharia court is not part of the state’s legal framework.