D-8 Countries Set to Hold International Ministerial Meeting in Ekiti
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State is set to achieve a major international breakthrough as the Developing-8 (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation has selected the state to host its
The Developing-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation has chosen Ekiti State in Nigeria to host its 5th ministerial meeting and 6th Senior Officials' Meeting in October 2026. The high-level gathering, set to occur at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, aims to position Ekiti at the forefront of global diplomatic and tourism discussions.
The event will bring together ministers, senior government officials, and policy experts from D-8 member countries, including Nigeria, Türkiye, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The hosting of this international gathering presents a significant opportunity for Ekiti to highlight its tourism, cultural, and economic assets to a global audience.
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy is currently working on preparations for the event, with the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, initiating engagements with the state government and stakeholders. The choice of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort as the venue for the meeting underscores Ekiti's growing reputation as a peaceful and attractive destination for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.
The resort, one of Nigeria's most celebrated tourism destinations, has been endorsed as a significant endorsement of the state's emergence in this regard. The development of Ekiti's infrastructure, security, tourism promotion, and business environment has contributed to its increasing visibility and appeal to visitors and investors.
The state has seen improvements in its road network, security architecture, and tourism assets, as well as the opening of the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in December 2025. This has enhanced the state's connectivity, offering new opportunities for business tourism, conferences, and investment engagements. Ekiti's status as Nigeria's Most Active Tourism State for three consecutive years further strengthens its reputation as a fast-growing tourism destination.
Hosting the D-8 Ministerial Meeting offers Ekiti a strategic platform to showcase its tourism potentials and strengthen its vision of making tourism a major pillar of economic development. The event is anticipated to generate economic benefits across various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, entertainment, food, arts, and creative industries, while facilitating new investment partnerships and international destination marketing.
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