President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other governors from the South-West are expected in Ibadan on Thursday for the commissioning of the newly redeveloped Premier Hotel, one of the region’s most iconic hospitality landmarks.

The 62-year-old facility, strategically located on Mokola Hill, has undergone extensive rehabilitation and modernisation by Odu’a Investment Company Limited as part of efforts to restore its status as a premier hospitality and tourism destination.

Tinubu is billed to attend the event as Special Guest of Honour, while Makinde will serve as Chief Host.

Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is expected to lead other governors from the region to the ceremony. They include Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State and Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The reopening marks a significant milestone in the revival of a facility that occupies a prominent place in the history of the old Western Region and Nigeria’s hospitality industry.

Established by the former Western Region Government through the Western Nigeria Development Corporation as part of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s industrialisation and economic development agenda, the hotel was commissioned in 1963 as the WNTV/WTBS Hotel.

The facility was conceived to complement the operations of Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) and Western Nigeria Television Service (WTBS), while providing quality accommodation for government officials, business executives, diplomats and foreign visitors.

At the time of its establishment, the hotel ranked among the first modern high-rise hospitality facilities outside Lagos and symbolised the developmental aspirations and economic vision of the Western Region.

Over the decades, Premier Hotel evolved into one of Ibadan’s most recognisable landmarks, hosting presidents, governors, diplomats, business leaders, entertainers and other distinguished guests from within and outside Nigeria.

The hotel later became known as Premier Hotel under the management of Odu’a Investment Company, the successor to the Western Nigeria Development Corporation and the investment vehicle jointly owned by the six South-West states.

The redevelopment project is expected to strengthen tourism, hospitality and economic activities in Oyo State and the South-West region, while preserving an important historical asset associated with the legacy of the old Western Region.