At 154-bed Premier Hotel Inauguration, Tinubu Seeks Rebirth of National Assets Nationwide

President Bola Tinubu has called for the revitalization of national assets across Nigeria, stressing their importance in bolstering infrastructure development and economic growth. He made these remarks while inaugurating the first phase of the remodeled 154-bed Premier Hotel in Ibadan.

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The transformation and modernisation of this facility remind us that heritage should not be abandoned to the passage of time. Rather, it should be preserved, renewed, and adapted to meet contemporary realities.

Tinubu described the hotel's transformation as a symbol of preserving national heritage, adapting it to contemporary needs, and building a stronger future upon the past. He noted that the project mirrors the rebirth of other iconic national assets nationwide. The President lauded the visionary leadership of the old Western Region for investing in projects like the Premier Hotel, underscoring the necessity of long-term thinking and collective action for sustainable development.

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In many ways, this project mirrors the rebirth of other iconic national assets across our country. It similarly demonstrates that our past can serve as a foundation upon which we build a stronger future.

The President further emphasized the strategic role of the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria's economic diversification under the "Renewed Hope Agenda." He pointed to the sector's significant potential for generating employment, boosting GDP, earning foreign exchange, fostering cultural diplomacy, and driving urban renewal, given Nigeria's large population and economy.

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Premier Hotel Ibadan is more than just a hotel. It is a symbol of our collective history. This landmark has occupied a special place in the social, economic, and cultural development of the state and the entire South-West region.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, hailed the project as a milestone in restoring a key hospitality establishment, calling it a symbol of collective history and a driver of social, economic, and cultural development for the state and the entire South-West region. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by SSG Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, echoed this sentiment, stating the reopening signifies renewed hope and demonstrates how heritage preservation and economic modernization are complementary pillars of sustainable development.

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Today’s reopening is not merely the commissioning of a renovated facility; it is a renewed hope. It is a statement of intent, one that demonstrates that heritage preservation and economic modernisation are complementary pillars of sustainable development.