Ilorin-born business mogul, Gobir drives economic growth in Kwara with Horse Sport Centre

In a move aimed at boosting Kwara State’s economy, a prominent Ilorin-born business mogul, Mohammed Kabir Gobir, has established a state-of-the-art Horse Sport Centre in Ogele, Asa Local Government Area of the state.

The facility, known as the Kwara Horse Centre, is designed to enhance revenue generation, create employment opportunities and reposition the horse sport industry in Kwara State.

It features a wide range of modern facilities, including a polo field, restaurants, hotels, event halls, and a veterinary clinic for the treatment and care of horses and other animals.

Gobir disclosed this while speaking at the February edition of the GDJ Monthly Interface organised by the Guild of Digital Journalists (GDJ) at its State secretariat in Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin.

According to him, the centre was established to address the challenges faced by horse owners in the state, particularly in terms of proper stabling, management and access to quality veterinary care.

“The centre is designed to function as a full tourism hub, with facilities capable of contributing significantly to the economic growth of Kwara State,” Gobir said.

He explained that the Kwara Horse Centre is one of only six horse game centres in Nigeria and currently houses over 20 horses.

The project, he added, is expected to provide employment opportunities for indigenous sons and daughters of the state, while attracting both local and international investors.

Gobir noted that the centre’s strategic location, just about 10 minutes from the Ilorin International Airport, makes it easily accessible.

He said visits to similar facilities across the country informed the decision to introduce innovative, high-standard offerings at the centre.

Highlighting the capital-intensive nature of the business, the entrepreneur revealed that acquiring quality horses costs between ₦10 million and ₦40 million, depending on the breed.

He assured that development work at the centre is ongoing, with polo fields and horse tracks already completed, and urged prospective sponsors and investors to explore partnership opportunities.

Gobir also disclosed that the University of Ilorin is already partnering with the centre and other higher institutions in the state, further strengthening its prospects for growth and sustainability.