Rivers State signs MoU with the Federal Government as Governor Siminalayi Fubara promises swift action on Oyorokoto Beach Resort and wider tourism development

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Port Harcourt to advance the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Cultural Project, with the state government pledging to accelerate the development of Oyorokoto Beach Resort as part of a broader drive to position Rivers State as a major tourism destination.

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The agreement, signed at the Rivers State Government House, represents a fresh push to link cultural heritage, tourism, hospitality and the creative economy with infrastructure development and job creation.

For Fubara, the vision goes beyond constructing roads and public facilities.

The governor believes tourism can become a powerful economic engine for Rivers State by creating spaces where visitors can experience the state’s natural attractions while supporting businesses and communities around them.

The governor said the state had invested substantially in tourism over the past three years, with the aim of developing leisure destinations, creating employment and diversifying the local economy.

Fubara pointed to the new Tourist Beach project being developed in partnership with Landmark as one of the administration’s ongoing interventions.

According to him, work has already started, with the first phase expected to be unveiled and opened to the public by December.

The governor also linked the federal cultural initiative to the Ngo-Atlantic Oyorokoto Road project in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the road as an important gateway to the area’s tourism potential.

“Oyorokoto Beach is one of the best beaches in this country,” Fubara said, while highlighting the growing visibility of wildlife and other attractions along the route.

The governor said his administration wanted the infrastructure around Oyorokoto to unlock the area’s wider potential rather than simply provide another transport connection.

Fubara also drew comparisons with established international tourism destinations, arguing that economic development should include investment in hospitality, entertainment and leisure alongside conventional infrastructure.

“If we can’t go to Dubai, let’s provide our own Dubai in Rivers State,” he said, adding that the state could similarly develop Oyorokoto into a destination capable of offering experiences associated with places such as Qatar and Spain.

The Fubara Cultural Tourism Project is therefore being positioned within a wider effort to turn Rivers State’s natural and cultural assets into economic opportunities.

The governor promised that the state would move quickly from signing the agreement to delivering tangible results.

Fubara said Rivers State would ensure that something concrete was achieved within the next four months, signalling an emphasis on implementation as the partnership moves beyond its formal signing.

For Musawa, the agreement reflects President Bola Tinubu’s push for closer cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments in developing Nigeria’s creative economy.

The minister described the project as timely and said the Federal Government’s role was to support existing efforts by the Rivers State Government while helping to develop the state into a cultural, tourism and creative hub.

“I’m very glad today that we have signed this MoU on the Renewed Hope Cultural Project,” Musawa said. “It is really to catch up with what you have already done in the state.”

She said the Federal Government wanted to avoid working in isolation from the states, stressing that collaboration would be essential to unlocking the country’s tourism and creative potential.

The minister also highlighted Rivers State’s infrastructure, accessibility and international air connections as advantages that could help support its ambitions.

“Our hope is that Rivers State, with the sort of idea and vision that you have, we can work together to make sure that Rivers State becomes a huge expression in making Nigeria the cultural and creative hub of Africa,” Musawa told the governor.

The Rivers agreement comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s broader Renewed Hope Cultural Project, which has been designed to preserve and restore historic sites, palaces and monuments while establishing cultural and creative spaces and supporting capacity building.

The initiative was formally taken to Katsina in April 2025, with the Federal Government indicating that the model would be replicated across Nigeria’s 36 states.

The project is intended to use cultural heritage and tourism as tools for local economic development, particularly by creating opportunities for young people and rural creatives. (Federal Ministry of Information)

The National Economic Council subsequently approved a framework for state participation in the project and Naija Season, described as a unified national cultural and tourism calendar bringing together festivals, attractions and creative economy activities across the country.

The council was also informed of a projected potential to create up to one million jobs by 2030, alongside increased diaspora inflows and greater global visibility for Nigeria’s cultural assets. (State House)

Rivers State’s participation therefore gives the national initiative a significant coastal dimension, with Oyorokoto and other attractions offering an opportunity to combine natural landscapes, tourism infrastructure and cultural experiences.

The success of the partnership, however, will ultimately depend on what follows the signing ceremony.

The development of roads and resorts must be matched by reliable transport links, security, environmental protection, community participation and sustainable investment if the state’s tourism ambitions are to translate into lasting economic benefits.

For now, the agreement signals a renewed commitment by the Federal Government and Rivers State Government to move tourism higher on the development agenda.

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With Oyorokoto Beach Resort at the centre of the state’s immediate plans, the coming months will provide an early test of whether the ambitious vision can be converted into visible projects and meaningful opportunities for residents.