Through Balogun’s leadership, the resort has seen comprehensive upgrades: improved accommodations, expanded recreational offerings, and a deliberate shift toward the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) market. This strategic rebranding has cemented Ikogosi’s status as a premier destination for both leisure and business travelers, underscoring the power of effective public-private collaboration in revitalizing Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Further affirming its rising profile, the resort recently welcomed Barr Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, marking a significant endorsement of its renewed potential.
Significant Upgrades Since Last Visit
Indeed, substantial progress has been made. Key areas we were focusing on then – the forest park, the boardwalk for the spring, and the upgrade of the spring source – are now complete. While the forest park is still evolving, we've made significant strides, with the foundation for a basketball court completed, and plans underway for volleyball and five-a-side football pitches. We are carefully monitoring the weather to ensure optimal conditions for the application of the specialized and rather expensive synthetic paints for these courts.
Furthermore, we've been diligently working on the perimeter fencing for the forest park, aiming to complete it using the distinct style you see around the Olosun Restaurant. A significant milestone was the recent commissioning of the completely finished Presidential Villa by the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.
Regarding our accommodation capacity, you may recall we had 92 rooms across the resort. We have now commenced work on an additional 32 rooms in Camp A. Alongside this, we are actively developing the road network within Camp A, with drainage work currently in progress. Once the drainage is finalized, construction on these new rooms will begin.
Phased Expansion of Accommodation
Our immediate goal is to have at least 50 percent of these 32 rooms – that's 16 rooms – completed by December of this year. We are prioritizing quality over speed, recognizing the increasing demand that often exceeds our current capacity. We anticipate completing the remaining 16 rooms by the middle of 2026, bringing our total room count to 92.
Current Occupancy and MICE Strategy
During peak festive periods like Easter, our demand significantly outstrips our current room capacity. Occupancy tends to be lower during the weekdays – Monday to Wednesday. This is precisely why we are actively forging partnerships with tour operators, with a strong emphasis on the MICE sector. By collaborating with organizations that specialize in Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, and Events, we aim to attract consistent business throughout the week. While our occupancy from Thursdays to Mondays is consistently strong, we are working to stabilize partnerships that will ensure fuller capacity during the mid-week as well.
So, thus far, you can’t say MICE is your mainstay?
MICE is indeed our strategic focus and a significant contributor to our business. However, to optimize occupancy throughout the entire week, we need to further cultivate MICE bookings to fill the currently less busy mid-week periods. Our weekends are consistently very busy, driven by both leisure and some corporate groups.
Attracting the Leisure Market
As mentioned, our collaboration with tour operators is key to attracting the leisure market. These operators specialize in organizing holiday trips to destinations like ours. While we see good leisure traffic, sometimes reaching around 120 guests during certain weekdays, it's not as consistent as the weekend demand. To address this and capitalize on the inherent appeal of Ikogosi for relaxation and family getaways, we recognize the need for more rooms. We've observed that many guests, seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of cities like Lagos, are captivated by the serenity and peaceful environment here and often wish to extend their stay. The lack of sufficient rooms has, at times, resulted in lost revenue. Our business model relies on achieving a healthy average occupancy, which allows us to cover overheads, salaries, and generate returns for our investors.
If you are going to place your average occupancy rate now, what will it be?
We are currently averaging around 55 – 60 percent occupancy. We are performing favorably compared to many establishments in Lagos and Abuja based on our figures. We firmly believe in the unique appeal of our product and are aiming for a 90 percent occupancy rate – a target set by our management that we are determined to achieve. Nigeria's vast population of approximately 220 million presents a significant untapped market. We estimate that less than 0.5 percent of Nigerians can currently afford to visit Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Conference Centre, highlighting the immense potential for growth. Expanding our room capacity is crucial to capitalize on this potential and cater to the growing demand.
Stability and Operational Efficiency
The initial phase was indeed challenging. Establishing the necessary technical understanding of the existing infrastructure – electrical, architectural, and power systems – took considerable time and effort, especially given the initial lack of comprehensive documentation. Getting up to speed was difficult. However, the current level of stability is incomparable to those early days. We now operate like a well-oiled machine, with finalized supply chains and streamlined processes. Our focus has shifted towards expansion and further development.
Security Assurance
Security is excellent. We are fortunate to be located in Ekiti State, which is known for its relative safety. We have never encountered any security issues in this part of Ekiti, and this is a significant advantage that we actively highlight in our marketing. We maintain strong relationships with all national security agencies, who provide us with consistent support.
Impact of Minister's Visit
As Glocient Hospitality, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Conference Center represents our inaugural partnership with the state government in managing and developing a hospitality asset. The Honourable Minister's visit is of immense significance. It provides us with invaluable visibility within the market. To my knowledge, this is the first hospitality or tourism asset she has visited in Nigeria since assuming office. This unprecedented attention offers us tremendous exposure and helps position us as a top-of-mind destination for major businesses, MDAs, and government parastatals for their retreats, training programs, and team onboarding. Our facilities and serene environment are ideal for such events, free from distractions. Many visitors have commented on how "under-reported" this gem is, underscoring the importance of media support. The Minister's visit has already generated significant positive buzz on social media, leading to increased inquiries about visiting Ikogosi, including requests for transportation arrangements from various parts of the country. This level of endorsement from a member of the President's administration is an unparalleled marketing opportunity. Furthermore, the story of Ikogosi's revival from a moribund asset, championed by our Chairman, John Niyi-Olajide, despite initial discouragement, is a testament to the potential that exists within Nigeria. The significant private investment made here continues, as evidenced by ongoing construction activities. The government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abayomi Oyebanji, has been a crucial partner in providing a stable and enabling environment, free from bureaucratic hurdles, which has been instrumental in our progress.
 |
| Lanre Sharafa Balogun, General Manager of Glocient Hospitality |
We operate strategically, guided by a comprehensive master plan that we are implementing methodically. Our immediate priority has been to enhance accommodation and conferencing facilities, which are fundamental to the MICE business. Once these are well-established, we will focus on high-traffic entertainment areas such as the treehouse, forest bar, pool enhancements, the overall environment, and an amphitheater. You've already seen upgrades to our kitchen, and our world-class reception area is slated for completion before mid-2026. Following these developments, we will move towards creating a golf range, adapted to our topography. A full-fledged golf course is a longer-term consideration within our master plan.
Helipad Plans
While a dedicated helipad for our guests is part of our strategic plan, we currently have a viable temporary solution in collaboration with the state. A nearby primary school has a large, suitable space for helicopter landings, which was successfully utilized during the Ooni of Ife's visit for the commissioning of the Tree-House.
Balancing Modernization with Ecosystem and Cultural Preservation
Preservation of the natural ecosystem and cultural heritage is paramount in our development. A prime example is the Tree-House, which was constructed without cutting down any trees, integrating the existing flora into its design. We strictly prohibit the felling of trees on the property. Even naturally deceased trees are left undisturbed unless they pose a safety hazard. We actively manage the abundant bamboo growth through trimming to prevent interference with power lines while preserving their presence. Our spring path has been carefully lined with hardcore to minimize erosion while maintaining its natural flow. We frequently observe monkeys around the resort, and our long-term vision includes a mini zoo to showcase the local wildlife. Furthermore, we are developing an agro-tourism space where we cultivate our own vegetables, including yam and pumpkin leaves, ensuring a sustainable and locally sourced food supply.
Immediate Priorities and Government Support
Our most pressing need is improved accessibility. The journey from Ibadan to Ikogosi remains a significant challenge, and we require the support and partnership of the government to enhance the road infrastructure. Better road access would automatically drive increased tourism, not just to Ikogosi but across the region. Reducing travel time would make Ikogosi a more viable option for weekend getaways and short trips. We are grateful for the government's past support in addressing the decade-long power outage by establishing a dedicated power line from Ilawe to Ikogosi within eight months. It's crucial to remember that while this is a government asset, the substantial investment in its revitalization is purely private. The enabling environment provided by His Excellency, Governor Abayomi Oyebanji, has been invaluable, ensuring smooth progress without the bureaucratic hurdles often encountered in other states. This partnership has been critical to our success.
Integrating Technology
Absolutely. Glocient Hospitality is the hospitality arm of Cavista Holdings, which has significant interests in technology, fintech, agriculture, and hospitality, including a dedicated technology company. When we took over, there was virtually no technological infrastructure in place. Now, all our systems are seamlessly integrated. Our access points and revenue-generating centers – the forest bar, treehouse, restaurant, laundry, pool area, and front office – are all connected. Without technology, accurate revenue capture would be impossible. We utilize a comprehensive Property Management System (PMS) that is linked to our inventory. Stock levels are updated in real-time as items are received and consumed, providing a clear and auditable record of revenue. This system allows us to track costs and revenue for every item, ensuring financial accountability. The PMS also provides real-time performance data, allowing us to monitor progress against our monthly targets and identify areas of success or potential improvement. Technology is undeniably the engine driving our operational efficiency and financial transparency.
Partnership on Destination 2030 Data Platform
In essence, this partnership with the Ministry involves the comprehensive collation of data for all hospitality assets across Nigeria. The primary objectives are to gain a clear understanding of the number and types of hospitality and tourism assets within the country. During the planning stages, I was surprised to learn about previously unknown attractions, such as significant sand dunes in Yobe State and a unique bird migration convergence point. By compiling and disseminating information about these diverse assets, we aim to boost tourism revenue by attracting visitors eager to explore these destinations. Furthermore, this initiative will help the government identify and track hospitality businesses, many of which currently operate outside the formal tax net. This data will enable the government to collect appropriate levies, which can then be reinvested in the tourism sector and the broader economy, including infrastructure development such as road improvements and the implementation of security technologies like CCTV. Cavista Technologies is proud to be partnering with the ministry on this crucial data platform.
Expectations for the End of the Year
By December, my vision is to have a minimum of 16 completed rooms in Camp A, bringing our total operational rooms to 76. Ideally, I would love to have closer to 150 rooms to fully capitalize on the high demand during the "Detty December" period. It is frustrating to have to turn away potential business and eager guests simply due to a lack of capacity, especially when they are willing to pay premium rates. My primary expectation is to significantly increase our accommodation capacity to allow more people to experience the unique natural beauty of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Center.