The Federal Government and the Rivers State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism, arts, culture and the creative economy, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara declaring that the vast tourism potential of Andoni Local Government Area could transform the state’s economy.
The agreement, initiated by the Federal Government to strengthen collaboration with states in developing Nigeria’s tourism, arts, culture and creative industries, was signed at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Barr. Tomonialadeokuma Ishmael, signed for the Rivers State Government.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Fubara said the partnership aligns with his administration’s vision of diversifying the state’s economy beyond conventional infrastructure through strategic investments in tourism and hospitality.
He said Rivers State is positioning itself as a leading tourism destination by harnessing natural attractions in Andoni and other parts of the state.
According to the governor, the state has already laid the foundation for a thriving tourism industry through the development of a new tourist beach under a public-private partnership arrangement, with the first phase expected to be completed and opened to the public by December.
Fubara said the Federal Government’s initiative complements ongoing state projects, particularly the construction of the Oyorokoto Road in Andoni, which he described as a key project for unlocking the area’s enormous tourism potential.
He noted that the road would provide easier access to one of Nigeria’s finest beaches while opening up the area’s rich biodiversity to visitors.
The governor revealed that recent images circulating online have shown elephants and other wildlife within the corridor created by the new road, highlighting Andoni’s vast ecotourism potential.
He stressed that sustainable economic growth should extend beyond roads, hospitals and other physical infrastructure to include tourism, entertainment and hospitality, sectors that have become major revenue earners for many countries.
Drawing comparisons with global tourism destinations, Fubara said Rivers State could build its own world-class tourism industry.
“If we cannot go to Dubai, let us build our own Dubai in Rivers State. If we cannot go to Spain or Qatar, let us create our own tourism destination here,” he said.
The governor assured the minister that the state would move beyond signing the agreement by implementing tangible projects within the next four months and would invite the Federal Government to unveil completed initiatives.
He also commended the Federal Government for selecting Rivers State as one of the key beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Cultural Project, describing it as consistent with the state’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda.
Earlier, Minister Musawa said the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy was created by President Tinubu to drive economic diversification through the creative industries, tourism and culture, with a strong focus on job creation.
She explained that the Federal Government intends to work closely with state governments rather than operate independently, adding that Rivers occupies a strategic position in the national tourism development plan because of its infrastructure, accessibility and rich cultural heritage.
Musawa described Rivers as one of Nigeria’s “low-hanging fruits” for tourism development, noting that its international flight connections and existing tourism infrastructure make it well-positioned to attract both domestic and international visitors.
She said the Renewed Hope Cultural Project would provide a framework for expanding investments across the arts, culture, tourism and creative sectors while building on the state’s existing achievements.
The minister also praised Rivers State’s cultural diversity, recalling the colourful traditional dance performance that welcomed her delegation, and expressed confidence that the collaboration would transform the state into a major cultural, tourism and creative hub while supporting Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading destination for arts and culture.
