OBUDU: The hollywood-ready paradise we nearly buried, by Olabode Opeseitan
A writer is a prophet. Sometimes, their words are poetic. Other times, they are pragmatic. But often, they are a lone voice in the wilderness, calling a nation back from the brink.
Throughout the tenure of Professor Ben Ayade as Governor of Cross River State, I wrote—not only viscerally but also logically and pragmatically—about how his policies strangled the vision Donald Duke once breathed into Obudu Cattle Ranch. Lyel Imoke, with foresight, had privatised it to preserve its grandeur and free up state resources. But Ayade, a professor who should have understood the value of continuity, left it in ruins after eight years of intellectual posturing and infrastructural vacuum.
Then came Senator Bassey Otu. Not a professor, but a man of vision. In just two and a half years, Obudu Cattle Ranch has begun to rise again—like a phoenix from the ashes. The transformation is not just physical; it is symbolic, and electrifying. It is the story of Nigeria in miniature: a nation of giant dreams too often entrusted to Lilliputian minds.
Obudu is not just a resort. It is a cinematic masterpiece waiting to be filmed. Perched 1,576 meters above sea level, with its temperate climate, cable cars gliding over emerald valleys, waterfalls cascading through ancient forests, and a canopy walkway that rivals Costa Rica’s, Obudu is a natural soundstage for Netflix, Universal Pictures, or Beyoncé ’s next visual album.
Compare it to New Zealand’s Queenstown, where The Lord of the Rings was filmed. Or Iceland’s black sand beaches and glacial lagoons, now a staple of Hollywood’s fantasy genre. Obudu holds its own. It is our Wakanda—real, regal, and ready.
Yet, this paradise was nearly buried by poor leadership. Just like Ajaokuta Steel Complex—90% complete, then sabotaged. Just like countless other national dreams deferred by those who cannot see beyond their tenure or ocean-sized ego.
Comparatively, Rwanda, with far less natural endowment, spends millions annually to market its modest offerings. And it’s working. Kigali is now a global conference hub. Tourists flock to its gorilla trails. Imagine what Nigeria could do with Obudu, Erin Ijesha, Mambilla, and Yankari—if only we had leaders who dreamt in colour.
The socioeconomic impact of a fully revived Obudu is staggering:
- Jobs in hospitality, transport, and creative industries
- Revenue from international tourism and film production
- Pride in a national asset that tells a different story—of beauty, not brokenness
We need visionaries in power. Not those who kill dreams because they cannot comprehend them. You cannot give what you do not have.
Obudu is proof that when vision returns, glory follows.
Let Obudu rise again—not just as a tourist destination, but as a symbol of what Nigeria can be when vision leads. We call on filmmakers, tourism boards, investors, and policymakers to rediscover this cinematic treasure and invest in its future. Let the world see what we almost buried. Let Nigeria tell a new story—one of beauty, brilliance, and bold restoration.
