Taraba State is rightly referred to as “Nature’s Gift to the Nation.” It is a state with vast arable land, the third largest state in the country, with a land mass of about 54,000 square kilometers. The state has a breathe-taking landscape ranging from deep green forest savannah to picturesque rock mountains. From the enchanting Gashaka Gumti National Park, up to the surreal ranges of Gembu in Mambilla Plateau, the state is an ecotourism paradise.

Expectedly, Taraba under the leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas has invested heavily in agriculture. The state is transforming its agricultural sector into a production-driven economy through well-thought plans, one of which is the ₦400 billion ($268.63m) funding from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), aimed at enhancing food security, boosting mechanization, and creating rural jobs.

In addition to these investments, the Agbu Kefas administration is currently transforming the state through its very ambitious project in tourism, knowing that tourism will inject funds into the state’s economy, accelerate development, create massive job opportunities for youths, and help to quell security challenges. The governor was very intentional in his vision, deliberately focusing on ecotourism and heritage. In line with his vision, he created the Taraba State Ministry of Ecotourism and Heritage. Then he embarked on this unprecedented project that would transform the way African tourism is seen the world over.

The tourism project is the ambitious and unprecedented government approved 2500 hectares of land for the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Ecotourism Resorts. The sheer size of the land is mind boggling, and the locations for the agro-ecotourism resort are scattered on 12 sites across Taraba State. They include: the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Ecotourism Heritage Resort Zangon Kombi just few kilometres for the Danbaba Suntai Airport, Jalingo, the La Campagne Tropicana Nwonyo Lake Resort, Ibi, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area, Zangon Kombi, the La Campagne Rest Area Mahula Bali, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area, Gayam, Gashaka, the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Ecotourism Heritage Resort Mayo Selb, Gashaka, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area Biyudasisi, Mambilla, the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Tourism Heritage Resort Abong Kurmi council area, the La Campagne Tropicana Eco-Tourism Resort Nagadasda, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area Gurgu Mambilla, the La Campagne Tropicana Kwararafa Rest Area Gasol.

The project is as public-private sector partnership being executed in partnership with the La Campagne Tropicana Resort Group, the world’s first African themed resort brand. When completed, the expansive project will transform the state into one of the leading tourist destination in Nigeria in terms of tourist traffic.

The Taraba State Governor embarked on this legacy project so that it would become a point of reference in years to come. It encompasses leisure, ecotourism, and agriculture.

The La Campagne Agro-Ecotourism Resorts project is gradually, but steadily taking shape with little noise or hype. Some of the ecofriendly accommodations are already built. Leisure facilities such as quad bikes, fishing boats and jet skis have been added to the facilities at the resorts.

Looking at the tourism revolution in Taraba State which is quietly, but steadily being implemented, it is something the industry players need to take major notice of because of the impact it would have on the economy of the state and the country. It would create the opportunity to re-jumpstart tourism in Nigeria.

While speaking on the project during a tour of one of the sites, Governor Agbu Kefas expressed his satisfaction with the pace of development. He further said: “By the grace of God, Taraba will become centre for peace and unity, food, security and everything that is good. I assure that we will give all the necessary support so that we can turn this state to a tourist destination.”

The Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang having seen one of the project site said: “The Taraba State government has entered into a partnership with the La Campagne Beach Beach Resort group under the leadership of Dr. Wanle Akinboboye, a renowned African heritage tourist expert. This collaboration aligns with the brother-Africa diasporan vision to reconnect all people of African descent back to the continent through tourism, culture and heritage. It is my privilege and honour to congratulate Governor Agbu Kefas for this historic fit. Taraba State stands as the only state in Nigeria with a ministry of heritage and ecotourism. This is a clear reflection of the visionary leadership of Dr. Agbu Kefas and his commitment to prese3rving our heritage, while unlocking the tourism potentials of our land. Indeed Taraba State is positioning itself as Nigeria’s largest gateway for tourism in Africa.”

The founder of La Campagne Tropicana Group Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who is leading the private sector in the project, said he is excited about the project. He said: “you know our young people today are afraid of going into the farm because the representation of farming is that of poverty, suffering and pain, so, no kid wants to partake in that. What we have created here is heritage, ecotourism, hospitality..using tourism to sell entertainment and agriculture, and using agriculture to sell tourism. It is the first time we will see a state government partnering with a private sector, giving 2500 hectares of land strictly for the return of people of African descent, lovers of Africa throughout the world to come and connect with the continent. When that happens, which is happening now, it will change the entire dynamics of Africans coming back to buy holiday homes around the resort that would generate money for them on a daily basis for people in their 80s, 90s to have a retirement home adjacent a resort, especially an eco-resort that will elongate their lifespan, where they wake up in the morning the houses are taken care of. They are not in a nursing home, where they go around in the resort, play games, do entertainment and interact with people instead of sitting in a desolate house with only a nurse. We believe that this will transform tourism totally.

“What Governor Agbu Kefas has done by first of all pointing out that he is not just interested in general tourism, but interest in heritage and ecotourism, and he has a ministry of heritage and ecotourism, no interest in other forms of tourism because ecotourism for him, is the advantage he has, and he is taking advantage of that advantage-the third largest landmass in Nigeria, over 54,000 square kilometers, with the best of the best of hills. So, he decided that I want to only be known for ecotourism and based on that, he agreed with me to create this land. You know what will happen when 10000 people descend on that land from America, Europe and from all over the world? What will happen to the entire north? Already, no tourism practitioner or writer is picking up the fact that water sports like jet skis, quad bikes and so on has been introduced in the whole of the north. So, no one is pointing that out.

Look at the spinoffs, the former Plateau the entire Middle Belt said it will create jobs, help with the issue of security.”

The beauty of the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Ecotourism Resort projects in Taraba state is that from any of the resorts, tourists have the opportunity to explore some of the enchanting ecotourism sites within the state.

At the axis of the Mambilla Plateau is Nigeria’s largest national park, the vast Gashaka-Gumti National Park, and Nigeria’s highest peak, Chappal Waddi. The national park is just at the foot of the Mambilla plateau, one of the most captivating places to visit in Nigeria. The state has a temperate climate in high altitudes. It is even cooler on the Mambilla Plateau.

Tourists could also enjoy the ecotourism offerings and the unique cultural festivals. Being a high-altitude region (1,800 meters) with a temperate climate, rolling hills, and expansive tea plantations, the state also boost of rich cultural sites and attractions. Marmara Crocodile Pond (Wukari), A sacred pond where crocodiles are said to coexist peacefully with humans, traditionally appearing on Fridays, the annual Nwonyo Fishing Festival in Ibi (April) features boating, swimming, and traditional dances, and many other cultural attractions.

Governor Agbu Kefas is positioning Taraba State as the next big thing in Nigerian tourism. It is something he is doing quietly under the radar; however, it is important to watch out for this mega agro-ecotourism project as it unfolds.