Leading hospitality development and management company, Glocient Hospitality, took centre stage at the recently held Distinguished Guest Lecture (DGL) 2026, showcasing the remarkable transformation of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State. The summit, held on April 15 at the BJC Event Centre in Ado Ekiti, was themed ‘Public Private Partnership for Sustainable Development – Stakeholders’ Engagement.’ It brought together business leaders, government representatives, private sector investors, business development partners, and students from across Nigeria to explore how collaboration between government and public institutions can sustain growth, social impact, and development.
Innovative Hospitality Approach
General Manager of Glocient Hospitality, Lanre Balogun, represented by the company’s Communication and Community Engagement Manager, High Chief Ayo Ademiluwa, highlighted the company’s innovative approach to hospitality, blending technology with authenticity. He stated that the four-phase innovation project leverages mobile storytelling guides, QR-coded trees, and digital cultural archives to enrich guest experiences and cultural heritage. Sharing stories of the resort and conference center’s past condition and its current ongoing revitalisation, Ademiluwa said the transformation has positioned Ikogosi as a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) in Nigeria, offering modern conference facilities, executive accommodation, and immersive nature-based activities.
Educational and Economic Benefits
He explained that beyond the transformation of internal roads, structures, and a hospitable environment, the resort provides educational benefits, which the leadership of the company counts as essential for tourism development. “Before the concession to Glocient Hospitality, I describe my experience when I was managing Ikogosi Resort like a father backing a baby. The baby was ill and almost dying, but I could not do anything. Respite came when Glocient Hospitality took the concession from Ekiti State. Now my baby is a bouncing baby boy that was recognised in 2022. Go see Ikogosi,” Ademiluwa recounted in a vivid illustration.
Awards and Recognition
These efforts, he said, have earned the hospitality firm recognition, including the “Best Unique Destination Experience in Nigeria” award and the “Hospitality Impact Award” for Balogun’s leadership. The keynote speakers, founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, and founder of Ticktos Nigeria Ltd, Abuja, QS Kayode Adeosun, in their respective addresses, emphasised the importance of collaboration between government and private institutions to drive sustainable growth and social impact.
Panel Discussions and PPP Model
The event featured panel discussions on the challenges attending the public-private partnership (PPP) model as well as the successes recorded so far through it. Glocient Hospitality’s success story with Ikogosi Warm Spring and Conference Centre’s transformation serves as a model for effective PPP in Nigeria’s tourism industry. As a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings Limited, known for its excellence and professionalism, the resort continues to step up efforts in architecture, hospitality, and community engagement.
Future Commitments
The management has reassured the public, patrons, and partners of a live-in experience every moment the space is visited, ensuring a smoother relationship with each passing visit. The resort remains committed to providing top-notch services and fostering sustainable tourism development in Ekiti State and beyond.
