A new travel company, Grandeur Signature Travel & Tours, has launched a heritage tourism initiative with a train tour from Lagos to Abeokuta, aimed at promoting Nigeria’s cultural history and boosting domestic tourism.
The one-day tour, which marked the official debut of the company, took tourists to major historical sites in the Ogun State capital, including Olumo Rock, Alake’s Palace, the Centenary Hall, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, and Itoku Market, famous for its traditional adire fabric.
The founder of the firm, Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, said the goal of the project is to deepen cultural awareness among Nigerians and especially connect those in the diaspora to their roots.
“This is more than sightseeing. It’s about creating meaningful experiences that link people to their heritage,” said Shyllon, who is a well-known promoter of arts and tourism and a member of the Ake royal family.
The tour included train travel from Lagos, private buses within Abeokuta, lunch, guided storytelling at each site, and branded kits for the participants. Each tourist paid ₦100,000 for the full package.
Tourists also had the chance to interact with local artisans and traders, helping to boost small businesses in the area.
Tourism experts believe that such heritage-based tours can help revive Nigeria’s tourism sector, which currently contributes less than 4% to the national GDP. Globally, tourism contributes about 10% to the economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Lucy Abena, a tourism curator, said, “If properly managed, cultural tours like this can create jobs and support various sectors like hospitality, transport, and local crafts.”
Some of the tourists described the experience as educational and inspiring. “It felt like walking through a living history book,” said Sandra Adebayo, one of the participants.
The initiative reflects a growing trend among Nigerians abroad who are seeking to reconnect with their culture through local experiences.
Though still in its early stage, Grandeur Signature’s heritage tour has been described by stakeholders as a promising step toward building a stronger tourism industry in Nigeria.
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