Edo State Targets 72 Tourism Sites to Boost Jobs and Economic Growth

(Governor Monday Okpebholo. Photo by Premuim Times)

Edo State is gearing up to harness its 72 tourism assets to drive hospitality business, generate employment and spur related economic activities, the state’s tourism agency has revealed.

The Director-General of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Mrs Vivian Elabor, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Benin on Wednesday, ahead of the maiden EdoTourism Summit and Fashion Show scheduled for June 29 and 30.

Elabor listed the Benin moat, Ososo carnival, Kukuruku Hills, various festivals in Ubiaja, dress partners and several other attractions as part of the state’s tourism portfolio.

She noted that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration is committed to unlocking the potential of all 72 tourism assets to grow the hospitality sector, create jobs and stimulate ancillary businesses, adding that residents stand to benefit significantly if the sector is properly developed.

On the need to safeguard the Benin moat, Elabor cautioned residents against disposing of waste in it, warning that violators would face severe sanctions.

She said the agency is actively working to sensitise the public on the cultural and historical significance of the moats, which were built by ancestors as a means of community protection.

She lamented that many locals do not recognise the value of the moats, contrasting this with the global appreciation for heritage preservation, and stressed that the agency would not relent in enforcement efforts.

The Director-General further observed that the 72 tourism sites spread across the state remain largely untapped despite their considerable economic prospects, and said the agency intends to leverage tourism as a tool for boosting the state’s Internally Generated Revenue and reducing dependence on federal allocations.

The agency’s forthcoming summit, themed Edo Tourism: The New Frontier Exhibition and Fashion Show, is designed to spotlight the state’s cultural heritage and creative identity, she added.

Also speaking, the Director of Administration and Supplies, Kushe Ojekhoa, confirmed that the 2026 Tourism Summit, Exhibition and Fashion Show would hold from June 29 to June 30, and announced that fashion show winners would receive cash prizes, while all participants would be rewarded with participation fees as an incentive to nurture creativity and support up-and-coming talents.