Lagos is ramping up efforts to become a world-class tourism and creative economy powerhouse following a series of landmark cultural festivals, international collaborations and heritage projects unveiled by the State Government.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
According to the commissioner, the administration has continued to deploy tourism, arts, culture and entertainment as strategic instruments for economic diversification, youth empowerment and global engagement under the THEMES+ development agenda.
“Lagos State remains committed to positioning itself as Africa’s leading tourism, entertainment and creative economy hub through deliberate investments in cultural heritage, tourism infrastructure, festivals, innovation and strategic global partnerships,” Benson-Awoyinka said.
She noted that the state recorded remarkable milestones within the last one year through tourism-driven engagements, cultural festivals, heritage conservation projects and creative industry expansion initiatives.
“One of the most significant achievements recorded during the review period was the successful revival of the iconic Eyo Festival after a decade-long hiatus,” she stated.
The commissioner explained that the 73rd Adamu Orisha Play held on December 27, 2025, celebrated and honoured notable Lagos personalities including the late former Iyaloja-General, Chief Abibatu Mogaji; former Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson; former Governor Lateef Jakande; and former Governor Michael Otedola.
According to her, the festival generated enormous cultural and economic value across the state.
“The Eyo Festival significantly boosted tourism activities, hospitality services, local commerce, indigenous fashion, entertainment and artisan businesses within Lagos,” she said.
Benson-Awoyinka further highlighted the successful hosting of the 2026 Lagos Fanti Carnival at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island, describing it as a major cultural showcase that attracted over 40,000 tourists, participants and enthusiasts from across the world.
“The carnival celebrated the rich Afro-Brazilian heritage of Lagos Island descendants through colourful parades, samba-inspired performances, capoeira displays, theatrical presentations and heritage exhibitions,” she explained.
She added that the event strengthened diaspora tourism and reinforced Lagos’ reputation as a globally recognised cultural destination.
“The Fanti Carnival further positioned Lagos as a vibrant centre for international cultural exchange, tourism promotion and creative economy investment opportunities,” the commissioner said.
Speaking on entertainment and music, Benson-Awoyinka disclosed that Lagos successfully hosted the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, which featured the African Music Business Summit, the African Music Village concert and the prestigious awards ceremony.
“The event brought together music industry executives, policymakers, investors and artists from across Africa, further reinforcing Lagos’ strategic relevance within the continent’s growing creative economy ecosystem,” she stated.
The commissioner revealed that the ministry supported more than 201 cultural festivals, tourism programmes and creative initiatives during the review period, compared to 143 initiatives supported in the previous year.
“We also issued over 159 endorsement letters to stakeholders within the tourism and creative industries to facilitate sponsorships, partnerships and programme implementation,” she added.
Among the initiatives supported by the government, according to her, were the Lagos Fashion Week, Headies Awards, Lagos International Jazz Festival, Lagos Cocktail Week, Africa Fashion Designers Award, Lagos Street Art Festival, student tourism programmes and several indigenous cultural festivals.
On heritage preservation and tourism infrastructure development, Benson-Awoyinka disclosed that the government intensified monument construction, museum management and restoration projects across the state.
She listed newly unveiled monuments to include the Eyo Statue at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, the head bust of late Ndubuisi Kanu at Alausa, the Bronze Boy Statue and the Resilient Youth Corps sculptural installation.
“Several landmark heritage projects are also ongoing, including statues of former Governor Lateef Jakande and Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II, the restoration of the historic Ejinrin First Post Office in Epe and the Badagry Slave Route development project,” she disclosed.
The commissioner further revealed that solar-powered backup systems had been installed at the Badagry Heritage Museum, Vlekete Slave Market Museum and the Badagry Information Centre to improve sustainability and visitors’ experience.
On the performing arts sector, she disclosed that the Lagos Theatre in Oregun was undergoing extensive reconstruction and modernisation.
“The Lagos Theatre project is designed to transform the facility into a world-class performing arts, entertainment and cultural centre capable of hosting international productions and events,” she said.
Benson-Awoyinka also highlighted Lagos’ participation in the African Marketplace Dubai 2025 as well as global celebrations following the posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
“The global recognition accorded to Fela further elevates Lagos’ international cultural significance as the birthplace of Afrobeat music,” she noted.
She equally described the hosting of Africa’s first all-electric powerboat championship, the E1 Lagos GP held on Five Cowrie Creek in October 2025, as a major breakthrough for sports tourism and sustainable innovation.
“The E1 Lagos GP placed Lagos alongside global host cities such as Monaco, Venice and Jeddah while opening new opportunities within sports tourism and the blue economy,” the commissioner stated.
On reforms within the hospitality industry, Benson-Awoyinka disclosed that the ministry had commenced harmonisation of tourism licensing regulations and operational permits to eliminate duplication and improve ease of doing business.
“More than 500 hospitality and tourism establishments have already been enumerated under the ongoing state-wide registration and licensing exercise,” she revealed.
The commissioner also announced that the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History recently won the Outstanding Achievement Award for a Historic Centre at the 32nd Annual Thea Awards in Orlando, Florida, United States.
“This recognition is a strong global validation of Lagos State’s commitment to immersive storytelling, heritage preservation and cultural innovation,” she said.
On youth and creative industry development, Benson-Awoyinka disclosed that over 10,000 young creatives had benefited from various capacity-building programmes implemented through partnerships involving the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Del-York Creative Academy, EbonyLife Creative Academy, GIDI Creative Academy and the African Film Academy.
She added that more than 2,000 filming permits were also issued to filmmakers and production companies operating within Lagos State during the review period.
Reaffirming the state government’s long-term vision, the commissioner stressed that tourism, entertainment and culture would remain central to Lagos’ economic transformation strategy.
“We will continue to deepen investments in tourism development, cultural preservation, entertainment and creative enterprise as critical pillars for sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness,” Benson-Awoyinka said.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, industry stakeholders and creative practitioners for their support and collaboration toward transforming Lagos into a globally competitive tourism and creative economy destination.
