Olumo Rock's income soars from N3 million annually to N40 million per month, says Ogun Governor

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has revealed that the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta was closed and refurbished to unlock its full potential for tourism and revenue generation, describing it as one of Nigeria's premier tourist destinations.

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The iconic site has witnessed a significant surge in earnings since its rehabilitation, according to Abiodun, who made this statement on Thursday during the commissioning of the 5.5-kilometre Elega–Miliki–Saje–Bode-Olude–Alhaji Sugar Road in Abeokuta.

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This road spans across Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas, and Abiodun explained that the site's revenue performance was previously underwhelming but improved substantially after the refurbishment.

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Before the intervention, the site was generating low revenue, but after the upgrade, its earnings increased dramatically, with Abiodun stating that the revenue figures before rehabilitation reflected the site's poor condition at the time.

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Abiodun disclosed that the site's weekly revenue soared to about 10 million naira, translating to around 40 million naira per month, compared to a mere 3 million naira annually before the refurbishment.

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The governor noted that the tourist centre has gained immense popularity, now ranking among the country's most visited attractions, with Olumo Rock likely being the number one or number two tourist site in Nigeria.

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A search for tourist sites in Nigeria on Google yields Olumo Rock as the top result, Abiodun said, highlighting the site's newfound prominence.

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Upon assuming office, Abiodun found that Olumo Rock was generating a paltry 3-4 million naira annually, which was a far cry from its potential.

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This annual revenue of 3-4 million naira was the norm before Abiodun shut down the site for refurbishment, after which it began to generate substantially more revenue.

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The refurbishment of Olumo Rock led to a significant increase in revenue, with the site now generating around 10 million naira per week, or approximately 40 million naira per month, compared to the previous 3 million naira per year.

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This development comes months after the state government reopened the facility following renovation and introduced a temporary free-entry policy to encourage visitation and promote cultural tourism.

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The initiative aimed to allow the public to rediscover the historical significance of the site and boost local commerce around the tourist centre before normal access procedures resumed, according to earlier government statements.

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However, the government later announced the end of the free-entry window due to overcrowding and safety concerns, citing the need for stricter access management to mitigate the risks posed by the surge of visitors.

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The state ultimately decided to concession the tourist centre to a private operator to ensure improved management and sustained revenue generation, with Olumo Rock remaining a key focus of the state's tourism drive.