Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the Oyorokoto coastline into a world-class tourism destination comparable to Dubai, as the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive the Renewed Hope Cultural Project.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday at Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara said the state would fast-track the development of the proposed Oyorokoto Beach Resort, assuring residents that visible progress on the project would begin within the next four months.
“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,” the governor declared.
The MoU, signed between the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Rivers State Government, is designed to stimulate Nigeria’s creative economy, expand tourism, diversify revenue streams and generate employment under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Fubara said the partnership aligns with his administration’s economic diversification strategy, which identifies tourism and culture as key drivers of sustainable growth beyond the oil sector.
He disclosed that the state had made significant investments in tourism infrastructure over the past three years, highlighting the ongoing redevelopment of the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach in partnership with Landmark Group. According to him, the first phase of the project is expected to be completed and opened before the end of the year.
The governor also linked the Renewed Hope Cultural Project to the construction of the Ngô-Atlantic Oyorokoto Road in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the road as a strategic investment that would unlock the tourism and economic potential of one of Nigeria’s most scenic but underdeveloped coastal destinations.
He said Oyorokoto Beach, with its expansive Atlantic coastline and rich biodiversity, possesses the capacity to attract both domestic and international tourists and emerge as a major contributor to the state’s economy.
Fubara stressed that infrastructure development should extend beyond roads and bridges to include investments in entertainment, leisure and hospitality, noting that many countries have built thriving economies on tourism.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, described Rivers State as one of Nigeria’s most promising destinations for cultural and tourism development.
She said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s administration is strengthening collaboration with state governments to accelerate growth in the creative economy and position Nigeria as Africa’s leading cultural and creative hub.
Musawa commended the Rivers State Government for its sustained investment in arts, culture and tourism, noting that the state’s rich cultural heritage, modern infrastructure and international connectivity place it in a strong position to become a leading tourism and creative industry destination.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the Rivers State Government by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Ishmael Tomonialadeokuma.
The Renewed Hope Cultural Project forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to diversify Nigeria’s economy by increasing investment in arts, culture, tourism and the creative industries. The sector is widely regarded as a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings and non-oil revenue, with the Federal Government pursuing partnerships with states to develop tourism assets, cultural infrastructure and creative hubs nationwide. Rivers State, with its coastline, festivals, cultural heritage and expanding infrastructure, is considered one of Nigeria’s most promising but underdeveloped tourism destinations.
