The Cross River State Government has entered into a 25-year public-private partnership concession with Living Curation Real Estate Limited to undertake the redevelopment of the Obudu Ranch Resort and other key tourism assets, in a move aimed at reviving one of Nigeria’s most iconic tourism destinations and boosting visitor arrivals.
The concession agreement, signed in Calabar, covers the comprehensive rehabilitation of Obudu Ranch Resort, Utanga Safari Lodge and the Bebi Airstrip. State officials said the long-term partnership is expected to modernise the facilities, improve tourism infrastructure and position the assets to attract both domestic and international tourists.
The redevelopment forms part of the state’s broader strategy to strengthen tourism as a driver of economic growth, job creation and private sector investment. Brandspur Brand News understands that the concession adopts a public-private partnership model designed to leverage private capital and operational expertise while preserving public ownership of the assets.
Obudu Ranch Resort has long been regarded as one of Nigeria’s flagship tourism destinations, known for its temperate climate, mountain scenery, cable car system and recreational facilities. However, years of underinvestment and declining infrastructure have reduced its appeal despite its strategic importance to the country’s tourism industry.
Beyond the resort itself, the rehabilitation of the Bebi Airstrip is expected to improve access to the mountain destination, while the upgrade of Utanga Safari Lodge is intended to expand accommodation options and enhance the overall visitor experience.
The announcement has generated mixed reactions among stakeholders. While many welcomed renewed efforts to restore the tourism assets, some industry observers stressed that successful execution, professional management and sustained maintenance would ultimately determine the project’s success. Others also called for greater transparency regarding the concessionaire’s experience, financial capacity and long-term operational plans.
If successfully implemented, the concession could strengthen Cross River’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading tourism hubs, complementing attractions such as the annual Calabar Carnival and supporting broader efforts to diversify the state’s economy beyond public sector revenues.
The agreement reflects a growing trend among Nigerian governments to deploy public-private partnerships to rehabilitate strategic infrastructure, attract long-term investment and improve the commercial viability of public assets while stimulating economic activity in key sectors such as tourism and hospitality.
