By Ayodeji Seriki
For logistical reasons, my plan to take my family to Dubai or South Africa for a holiday in December 2025 did not materialise. Although my wife and children had looked forward to the trip, they showed understanding when they realised the effort I made and how circumstances rendered the plan impossible.
One of my colleagues later suggested Ikogosi Warm and Cold Spring Resort as a worthwhile alternative. He helped erase the ugly memories I had of the place and explained how a private company had taken over its management three years earlier, transforming it into a world-class destination. He also narrated how world leaders, diplomats, senior government officials and top business executives had, in recent times, been visiting the resort for relaxation, meetings and vacation.
As persuasive as his stories and visuals were, my mind was still fixed on the Ikogosi I remembered years ago — a ghost-like environment filled with dilapidated structures, reptiles and birds. Back then, newspapers carried embarrassing headlines such as “Ikogosi: Nature’s Abandoned Wonder,” “A Resort Crying for Help,” and “Who Looted Ikogosi Resort?”
Even before I made up my mind, my children had already done so. They went online, researched the resort, and became in-house marketers for Ikogosi. Soon, they “recruited” their mother into the campaign. It became one against four — and I surrendered. We fixed a date and left Lagos on 26 December. Within five hours, we arrived in Ekiti State.
A few minutes before entering Ikogosi through Ipole-Iloro, the ambience changed, and excitement filled the car. I tried to suppress my own excitement despite the enthusiasm around me. But the unexpected happened — on arriving at the gate, I was overwhelmed by the aesthetics, lighting and welcoming landscape.
That moment marked the beginning of an adventure that opened my eyes to the beauty of nature blended with modern hospitality standards.
As always, my instinct for journalism kicked in. For three days, I observed, asked questions and interacted with staff and visitors. Before I concluded my findings, I already knew one thing for certain — only a private enterprise could be responsible for what I was seeing. Everything reflected excellence: the structures, the personnel, the facilities.
Initially, I assumed a foreign organisation was involved. I was wrong again. The resort is currently managed by Glocient Hospitality, a subsidiary of Lagos-based Cavista Holdings. According to the management, Glocient took over the facility from the Ekiti State Government in 2022 under a concession arrangement and has since invested billions of naira in its transformation.
Today, Ikogosi stands completely reborn — a truly world-class destination. The resort has already been named Nigeria’s Best Holiday Resort twice (2023 and 2024). At this point, the Ekiti State Government deserves commendation for its foresight and willingness to concession the facility to private management. What I saw in Ikogosi confirms the age-long assertion that government has no business running business — beyond creating the right environment for businesses to thrive.
Beyond its globally acclaimed warm and cold springs — which meet at a confluence yet retain their individual thermal characteristics — the resort now boasts several modern facilities. These include hiking trails, a spa, a swimming pool, a tree bar, well-furnished chalets, a presidential villa, conference halls, 24-hour power supply and enhanced security. Over 70% of its workforce is drawn from the host community and neighbouring Ekiti towns.
Although the springs remain the resort’s primary attraction, there is now much more to experience at Ikogosi — even without dipping one’s feet into the waters. The springs remain a natural wonder that continues to intrigue visitors around the world. Some locals still narrate the legendary tale of two royal wives — one calm, the other temperamental — who, even in death, became the cold and hot springs respectively. Until science provides a superior explanation, many still hold on to this cultural narrative.
For me, however, what impressed me most was the quality of service delivery. Natural beauty alone cannot sustain a resort or attract the calibre of guests now frequenting Ikogosi. The rooms and cuisine compare favourably with top-rated hotels globally. The spa is world-class, operated by trained professionals. The poolside lounge offers premium drinks and expertly crafted cocktails. The staff are courteous, disciplined and well-trained in customer service.
From my experience, Nigeria’s hospitality sector thrives better in the hands of competent private operators. Individuals and organisations no longer need to travel abroad in search of suitable venues for retreats, conferences or leisure. With more patronage, Ikogosi can further position Nigeria as a major tourism destination.
While I commend Glocient Hospitality for its outstanding work, special recognition must go to John Olajide, Chairman of Cavista Holdings, for his patriotism and courage in investing heavily in Ikogosi. Apart from the resort, Cavista also operates Agbeyewa Farms — one of Africa’s largest cassava farms — as well as PayZeep (a fintech company) and Cavista Technologies with global tech operations.
However, during my stay, I witnessed an avoidable misunderstanding at the resort gate. Some youths who believed the resort was still a public facility attempted to force entry, insisting it should be accessible at minimal or no cost. The situation nearly escalated but was professionally managed by security personnel.
This incident reflects a communication gap. The State Government, resort managers and relevant stakeholders must intensify public enlightenment to inform citizens that the resort is now under private concession for sustainable management and improved revenue generation.
From what I saw, Ekiti State took the right decision. The transformation required significant capital and operational commitment — and today, the resort stands proudly among Nigeria’s leading tourist destinations, attracting high-profile local and international guests. The recent visit of former President of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi, further affirmed Ikogosi’s growing global relevance.
For me and my family, the trip was worth every naira spent. Before we even checked out, my children had begun asking when we would return.
Truly, we shall come again.
Seriki, a media consultant, writes from Lagos.