Nigeria: Cross River State Grants New 25-Year Concession for Obudu Ranch Resort Redevelopment Despite Previous Failed Efforts

The Cross River State Government has signed a 25-year concession agreement with Living Curation Real Estate Limited for the redevelopment of the Obudu Ranch Resort and other key tourism assets under a public-private partnership arrangement.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria [NAN], the agreement was signed in Calabar last Friday.

The concession is expected to facilitate the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Obudu Ranch Resort, Utanga Safari Lodge and the Bebi Airstrip, with the aim of repositioning them as world-class tourism destinations capable of attracting both domestic and international visitors.

Speaking on the development, the Cross River State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ededem Ani, described the concession as a major milestone in Governor Bassey Otu’s efforts to revive the state’s tourism sector. He said the partnership underscores the government’s commitment to attracting private investment into strategic tourism assets.

Ani noted that the redevelopment project is expected to transform the facilities into a globally competitive tourism, hospitality, eco-tourism, scientific research and conservation destination, in line with the governor’s vision of restoring Cross River’s status as Nigeria’s leading tourism destination.

He further explained that under the terms of the agreement, the concession will run for 25 years, after which the rehabilitated facilities will revert to the Cross River State Government.

Ani said the project covers the redevelopment of Obudu Ranch Resort, Utanga Safari Lodge and the Bebi Airstrip, with the facilities reverting to the state government at the end of the concession period.

The state government said the project is expected to stimulate economic activity in host communities through fresh investment, job creation and increased business opportunities. It added that women in the host communities are expected to be among the major beneficiaries of the initiative.

The concession is expected to create employment opportunities during the redevelopment and operational phases.

The project also aims to promote scientific eco-tourism, environmental conservation and sustainable economic development.

Living Curation Real Estate Limited said it is committed to delivering a world-class tourism and hospitality destination in line with the state’s vision.

The government expressed confidence that the partnership would help restore Cross River’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading tourism destinations.

The latest concession follows the Cross River State Government’s decision in March 2025 to terminate the previous concession agreement with CIBA Construction Company Limited over alleged breaches of its contractual obligations.

The state said CIBA failed to carry out key investments required under the agreement, including the renovation of the resort’s hotel and critical infrastructure.

The concession, originally signed in 2017, was revoked after the government said the company failed to remedy repeated contractual breaches despite several opportunities.

The previous agreement had also been structured as a public-private partnership to modernise and operate the resort.

The new concession marks another attempt by the state government to revive one of Nigeria’s most iconic tourism destinations through private sector investment.

Obudu Ranch Resort, formerly known as Obudu Cattle Ranch, was established in 1951 by Scottish rancher M. McCaughley and is one of Nigeria’s best-known mountain tourism destinations.

The resort gained international recognition during the administration of former Governor Donald Duke, when major investments were made in roads, chalets, the cable car system and other tourism infrastructure.

Over the years, inadequate maintenance and limited investment contributed to the deterioration of the resort and a decline in visitor numbers.

The latest concession forms part of the Cross River State Government’s broader efforts to restore the infrastructure of Obudu Mountain Resort and reposition it as a premier tourism destination for both domestic and international visitors.

The redevelopment of the resort is expected to play a significant role in the state’s strategy to revive tourism, attract private investment, and stimulate economic activity across Cross River State.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Lucky Onoriode George, a former Public Relations Consultant to African Sun, expressed scepticism about the viability of the strategy, citing his experience working with the hospitality company.

According to Dr. George, “Obudu Mountain Resort is an isolated facility and therefore requires an operator with substantial financial capacity and extensive travel and tourism expertise, capable of generating the volume of visitors needed to sustain the resort.”

He further stated that, in his view, the resort’s remote location, distance from major tourism markets, inadequate accessibility, and high travel costs will continue to make Obudu Mountain Resort largely a seasonal destination.

By African Travel Times Public Relations Unit