Lagos Launches Arts and Crafts Competition to Discover Young Talents

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at discovering, nurturing, and showcasing creative talents in schools across the state.

Tagged the “Eko Arts and Crafts Competition,” the programme will engage students from secondary schools and tertiary institutions in various artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, and crafts.

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde Marshal, Esq., announced the initiative at a press conference held on Thursday at Alausa, Ikeja.

According to her, registration for the maiden edition of the competition opened today, September 11, via www.ekoschoolsartsandcrafts.com, and will run until September 18. The contest itself is scheduled to take place between September 18 and October 2.

Marshal disclosed that winners will receive scholarship awards approved by Governor Sanwo-Olu, alongside mentorship opportunities and exposure through exhibitions and partnerships in the creative industry.

She explained that the initiative aligns with the “Entertainment and Tourism” pillar of the governor’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, which emphasizes youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading cultural and entertainment hub.

“This competition has been carefully designed to discover and refine the immense talents within our classrooms,” Marshal said. “We recognize young artists, sculptors, and creative thinkers whose gifts must be celebrated and projected to the world. Art is not just aesthetics — it is storytelling, heritage preservation, and a mirror of society.”

She added that the competition would:

Foster creativity among young people,

Encourage entrepreneurship in the creative sector,

Promote cultural heritage through modern and traditional artistic expressions, and

Develop skills that support sustainable growth and innovation.

Marshal urged school administrators, teachers, parents, and guardians to encourage students to participate, stressing that the initiative offers more than recognition.

“The competition promises life-changing opportunities for winners, from mentorship to exhibitions and possible partnerships that can transform passion into careers,” she said.

She also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to youth empowerment and the promotion of arts and culture, noting that his vision continues to drive efforts to make Lagos the creative heartbeat of Nigeria and Africa.