Lagos Invests ₦8.5bn in Creative Economy, Reinforces Vision as Africa’s Tourism Capital

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has spent over ₦8.5 billion supporting more than 143 cultural festivals, creative programmes, and tourism initiatives in the past year, as it accelerates plans to position Lagos as Africa’s foremost destination for creativity, culture, and leisure.

The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

According to the Commissioner, the investments align with the fifth pillar of the administration’s THEMES Plus agenda, which prioritizes "Entertainment and Tourism" as a critical sector for economic diversification and youth empowerment.

“We are committed to fostering sustainable development and positioning Lagos as a vibrant and competitive hub for tourism and hospitality in Africa,” Benson-Awoyinka stated.

Mrs Benson-Awoyinka said that efforts to rebuild critical cultural infrastructure are underway, including the reconstruction of the Lagos Theatre in Oregun, which was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.

“In November 2024, the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History was launched, drawing high-profile visitors such as Crowned Princess Victoria of Sweden and American cultural delegations.

She also announced that Governor Sanwo-Olu was honoured with a Special Recognition Award at The Headies 2025 for his administration’s support for the creative industry.

“Our goal is to harness the power of the creative sector to create jobs, reduce youth unemployment, and build sustainable careers for our young people,” she said.

The Commissioner announced that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, is enforcing new regulations for beach tourism operations to enhance safety and environmental sustainability. Key tourist assets such as Topo Island, Ilashe Beach Resort, and Akodo Beach have been recovered and repositioned for development.

Highlighting the economic impact of cultural events, Mrs Benson-Awoyinka said the 2024 Greater Lagos Fiesta, which featured major acts like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tiwa Savage across five divisions, culminated in a grand New Year countdown at Tafawa Balewa Square.

“The Fiesta alone brought in thousands of tourists, boosted local businesses, and reaffirmed our status as Africa’s entertainment capital,” she said.

In addition, the Lagos Shopping Festival held at Onikan Stadium drew over 50,000 visitors and featured more than 400 vendors, demonstrating the economic synergy between tourism, culture, and commerce.