In a bold demonstration of legislative leadership and economic foresight, the Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a landmark resolution urging the State Government to urgently resuscitate, modernise and commercially reposition the long-abandoned Gateway Hotel, Ota. The decisive move followed a powerful motion passionately led on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sherif Abiodun (Ibeman).
The resolution emerged after an engaging and far-reaching debate on a motion titled “Urgent Need for the Resuscitation, Modernisation and Commercial Revamp of the Moribund Gateway Hotel, Ota as a Strategic Economic and Tourism Asset of the State.” The plenary session was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
Leading the debate with clarity and conviction, Hon. Ibeman drew attention to the growing number of abandoned public assets across Ogun State and the far-reaching consequences of such neglect. He described the Gateway Hotel, Ota, as a prime hospitality and tourism asset whose prolonged abandonment has denied the state substantial revenue, weakened investor confidence and robbed the community of valuable employment opportunities.
The Majority Leader stressed that with proper rehabilitation and strategic repositioning, the hotel could once again become a vibrant hub for tourism and business activities in Ota and its environs. According to him, a revitalised Gateway Hotel would attract private sector investment, significantly boost internally generated revenue and create both direct and indirect jobs for Ogun residents.
Hon. Ibeman’s motion received overwhelming support from lawmakers across party lines. The Chief Whip, Hon. Omolola Bakare; the Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye; and Honourables Musefiu Lamidi, Adebisi Oyedele, Oluseun Adesanya, Wahab Haruna and Babatunde Tella all contributed strongly to the debate. They lamented the continued abandonment of the facility and called for a comprehensive modernisation plan that would restore the hotel to competitive standards within the hospitality industry.
Lawmakers also raised serious concerns about the security implications of leaving the structure idle, citing reports of criminal activities in and around the premises. They agreed that revamping the hotel would not only stimulate economic activity and enhance the visual appeal of the area but also improve public safety and community wellbeing.
In their submissions, members unanimously urged the State Government to explore a well-structured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the redevelopment of the hotel, in line with Ogun State’s vision as a progressive destination for business, industry and tourism.
At the conclusion of deliberations, Hon. Ibeman formally moved the motion for the adoption of the resolution, which was seconded by the Chief Whip, Hon. Bakare. Subsequently, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, moved the motion converting the outcome of the debate into a formal House resolution. This was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Adeleye, and received unanimous approval from all members present.
Commending the initiative, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, praised the Majority Leader for bringing the issue to the forefront and applauded members for their insightful and solution-driven contributions. He directed that copies of the resolution be transmitted to relevant government agencies and stakeholders for immediate attention and action.
In a related development, the House also advanced its legislative agenda with the first reading of a bill titled “Ogun State Agricultural Land Management Agency Bill.” The bill, listed as H.B. No. 029/OG/2025, was formally read for the first time by the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Sakiru Adebakin, marking another step toward strengthening governance and sustainable development in the state.
