Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has been honoured as Best Tourism Governor 2024 by the Traveller’s Awards and the Akwaaba Travel Market.
The award, organised by Africa Travel Quarterly (ATQ) Magazine, was announced by the Board of Management and Directors of the publication. It will be formally presented at the Akwaaba ceremony on 15 September at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
ATQ President, Ikechi Uko, disclosed that Oyebanji secured an overwhelming 89.5 per cent of votes cast by tourism stakeholders across West Africa. He described the Ekiti leader as the first Nigerian governor to introduce both a State Tourism Policy and a Tourism Development Master Plan.
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Under his leadership, the state also established a dedicated Bureau of Tourism Development under his direct supervision, alongside other major reforms.
According to the organisers, the Akwaaba event will gather global travel professionals, investors, cultural figures, and policymakers from Africa and beyond.
Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, said the recognition affirms Oyebanji’s unwavering commitment to advancing tourism in the state.
“This honour is a validation of Governor Oyebanji’s visionary leadership and the collective effort of the people of Ekiti,” Ojo-Lanre stated.
“From Ikogosi to Abanijorin Rock, from our gastronomy showcases to international fairs, Ekiti has risen as the heartbeat of tourism in Nigeria. Our mandate remains clear: to deliver the Governor’s vision with speed, professionalism, and excellence.”
