KWSG To Leverage Digital Technology To Transform Tourism Sector
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital technology, creativity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the state’s tourism sector and create new economic opportunities for its people.
The Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, stated this in a broadcast to mark the 2026 World Tourism Day, with the theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
Olukoju, who said the theme was particularly relevant to Kwara State, noted that technology has been increasingly changing how people discover destinations, plan journeys, access information, make bookings and experience tourist destinations.
She said the State would continue to explore technology and innovation to improve the visibility of its tourist attractions, enhance visitors’ experiences and create opportunities for young people, creatives, hospitality businesses and other stakeholders.
According to her, the administration of His Excellency, Mall. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, has laid important foundations for this transformation through investments in the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Sugar Film Factory and the Visual Arts Centre, aimed at creating an ecosystem where technology, creativity, entertainment and enterprise can thrive.
She noted that the Sugar Film Factory was designed to position the State as a destination for film production and creative enterprise, while providing young people with opportunities to develop their talents and participate in the growing creative economy. She added that the facility had already begun producing content.
The Commissioner also highlighted the Ilorin Innovation Hub as an important component of the state’s digital transformation agenda, providing a platform for technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and digital skills development. She noted that the government’s digital literacy initiatives had also exposed over thousands young people across the 16 Local Government Areas to coding and other digital skills.
According to her, the state was also paying attention to tourism and hospitality infrastructure, including the Ilorin International Conference Centre, which she said would provide a platform for conferences, exhibitions, business events and other gatherings capable of attracting visitors from within and outside Nigeria.
Olukoju further highlighted projects connected to the state’s cultural heritage, including the development of the Dada Pottery facility, which she said was intended to preserve traditional pottery heritage while creating opportunities for artisans, particularly women and young people.
She explained that tourism has the potential to stimulate several sectors of the economy, including transportation, hospitality, food, culture, entertainment, crafts, fashion, technology, agriculture and small businesses.
The Commissioner also stressed the importance of human capital development in the digital transformation of tourism, noting that the administration had provided training and capacity-building opportunities for thousands of workers, entrepreneurs and young people, particularly in Artificial Intelligence, digital skills and smart working.
She urged young people, tourism practitioners, hospitality businesses, tour operators, creatives and cultural organisations to embrace digital technology and AI while working with government to build an innovative, inclusive and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
“Kwara has the stories. Kwara has the culture. Kwara has the people. Kwara has the talent. And now, we must harness technology to take the Kwara story to the world,” she said.
Olukoju, who noted that technology must complement rather than replace the human element of tourism, said the state’s culture, hospitality, stories, creativity and identity would remain central to the Kwara tourism experience.
She also called on young filmmakers, photographers, content creators, software developers, tour guides, fashion designers, chefs, artists and entrepreneurs to use digital platforms as tools for showcasing Kwara and creating economic opportunities.
The Commissioner congratulated tourism practitioners, hospitality operators, creatives, cultural custodians, investors, tour guides, artisans, young innovators and other stakeholders on the celebration of World Tourism Day 2026.
She also commended His Excellency, Mall. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his continued commitment to building a diversified economy in which tourism, culture, creativity, technology and innovation play an increasingly important role.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the Kwara State Hospitality and Tourism Development Board, Kwara State Arts Council and other relevant institutions, to promoting the state’s cultural assets, creative talents and tourism potential.
“Together, let us redesign tourism. Together, let us embrace innovation. And together, let us take Kwara to the world,” she said.
