The Federal Government and the Rivers State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration in Nigeria’s creative economy, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara pledging to fast-track the development of the Oyorokoto Beach Resort as part of efforts to position Rivers as a leading tourism destination.
The agreement, signed on Monday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, is part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Cultural Project, an initiative aimed at expanding Nigeria’s arts, culture, tourism and creative industries while promoting economic diversification and job creation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Fubara said his administration would move beyond signing agreements by ensuring visible progress on the project within the next four months.
He described tourism as a critical pillar for economic growth, noting that the state government had consistently invested in the sector over the past three years to create leisure destinations, generate employment opportunities and reduce dependence on traditional sources of revenue.
According to him, work is already progressing on the state’s new Tourist Beach project being developed in partnership with Landmark Group, with the first phase expected to open to the public by December this year.
“We have invested in expanding the tourism sector of Rivers State. Some months ago, the project for the new Tourist Beach which we embarked upon in partnership with Landmark kicked off.
They’ve already started their work and from what they promised, by this December the first phase will be unveiled and made ready for public use,” the governor said.
Fubara explained that the Renewed Hope Cultural Project aligns with his administration’s broader development vision, particularly the ongoing Ngô-Atlantic Oyorokoto Road project in Andoni Local Government Area, which he said would unlock the economic and tourism potential of the coastal community.
He described Oyorokoto Beach as one of Nigeria’s finest natural attractions and said the new road was already attracting attention online due to the rich biodiversity and wildlife found along the corridor.
“The Oyorokoto Beach is one of the best beaches in this country,” he said, adding that images of elephants, lions and other wildlife associated with the area had begun drawing public interest.
The governor stressed that modern infrastructure should extend beyond roads, bridges and hospitals to include investments that stimulate recreation, hospitality and entertainment.
he said countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Spain had successfully diversified their economies through strategic investments in tourism and hospitality.
“If we can’t go to Dubai, let’s provide our own Dubai in Rivers State. If we can’t go to Qatar, let’s provide our own Qatar or Spain in Oyorokoto,” Fubara declared.
He thanked the Federal Government for selecting Rivers as one of the participating states under the Renewed Hope Cultural Project and expressed confidence that the partnership would yield tangible economic benefits.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, while the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Culture, Ishmael Tomonialadeokuma, signed on behalf of the state government.
Musawa described the agreement as a significant step towards implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments in developing Nigeria’s creative economy.
She said the initiative seeks to harness the country’s cultural assets to drive economic diversification, create employment and establish Nigeria as a leading cultural destination.
According to the minister, the Federal Government intends to work closely with states rather than pursue isolated programmes, noting that Rivers already possesses the infrastructure, accessibility and cultural diversity required to become a major creative and tourism hub.
“I’m very glad today that we have signed this MoU on the Renewed Hope Cultural Project. It is a project that spans across the arts, culture, tourism and creative industry. It is really to catch up with what you have already done in the state,” Musawa said.
She commended Governor Fubara’s investments in arts, culture, tourism and the creative economy, describing them as extensive and complementary to the Federal Government’s objectives.
Musawa further noted that Rivers State enjoys strategic advantages, including existing infrastructure, easy accessibility and international flight connections, which position it as one of the most promising locations for tourism and creative industry development.
“Our hope is that Rivers State, with the sort of idea and vision that you have, that we can work together to make sure that Rivers State becomes a huge expression in making Nigeria the cultural and creative hub of Africa,” she added.
