Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, 27 July, 2026, unveiled an ambitious vision to transform the Oyorokoto coastline into a world-class tourism destination comparable to Dubai, as the Federal Government and the state signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive the Renewed Hope Cultural Project.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara pledged that work on the Oyorokoto Beach Resort would be fast-tracked, promising that Rivers residents would begin to see tangible progress 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 by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Rivers State Government, is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s creative economy, boosting tourism, diversifying revenue sources and creating jobs under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Fubara said the agreement aligns with his administration’s strategy of using tourism and culture as pillars of economic diversification beyond oil, revealing that Rivers has already invested heavily in tourism infrastructure over the past three years.
He cited the ongoing redevelopment of the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach in partnership with Landmark Group, saying the first phase is expected to open before the end of the year.
The Governor also linked the Renewed Hope Cultural Project to the Ngô-Atlantic Oyorokoto Road project in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the road as a strategic investment that would unlock one of Nigeria’s most attractive but underdeveloped coastal tourism assets.
According to him, the Oyorokoto Beach, renowned for its long Atlantic coastline and rich biodiversity, has the potential to become a major tourist destination capable of attracting domestic and international visitors.
Fubara stressed that infrastructure development should extend beyond roads and bridges to investments that support entertainment, leisure and hospitality industries, noting that many countries have built thriving economies around 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 the country’s strongest prospects for cultural and tourism development.
She said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is pursuing closer collaboration with state governments to accelerate growth in the creative sector, noting that the initiative seeks to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading cultural and creative hub.
Musawa praised the Rivers State Government’s investments in arts, culture and tourism, saying the state’s existing infrastructure, cultural diversity and international connectivity make it well positioned to become a major destination for tourism and creative industries.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the Rivers State Government by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Ishmael Tomonialadeokuma.
The Renewed Hope Cultural Project is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to diversify Nigeria’s economy by expanding investments in arts, culture, tourism and the creative industries. The sector has increasingly been identified as a major source of employment and non-oil revenue, with federal authorities seeking partnerships with state governments to develop tourism assets, cultural infrastructure and creative hubs across the country. Rivers State, with its coastline, festivals, cultural heritage and growing infrastructure, is regarded as one of the states with significant untapped tourism potential.
