Lagos intensifies push for global tourism status, creative economy growth

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to position the state as a global tourism destination and Africa’s creative capital, with renewed investments in tourism promotion, cultural preservation and talent development.

Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this during the 2026 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, where she highlighted the ministry’s achievements in the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.

She said the ministry had continued to drive initiatives aimed at strengthening Lagos’ tourism and entertainment sectors through strategic partnerships, cultural festivals, creative industry programmes and infrastructure development.

According to Benson-Awoyinka, the state’s tourism and creative sectors remain central to the implementation of the administration’s THEMES+ Agenda and are increasingly contributing to economic growth, job creation and investment attraction.

“The Ministry has continued to strategically position Lagos as the tourism and entertainment capital of Africa through innovative programmes, strategic partnerships, cultural initiatives, festivals and infrastructural development aimed at strengthening the state’s creative economy and attracting both local and international visitors,” she said.

The commissioner noted that the ministry recorded significant achievements in tourism promotion, heritage preservation, stakeholder engagement, creative industry development and youth empowerment during the period under review.

She added that programmes such as cultural exhibitions, heritage conservation projects, entertainment collaborations and capacity-building initiatives were designed to strengthen operators across the tourism and creative value chain.

Benson-Awoyinka said the ministry had also expanded efforts to promote community-based tourism while preserving and showcasing Lagos’ cultural heritage to a global audience.

She stressed that tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the creative industry remain critical sectors for the socio-economic development of Lagos, assuring stakeholders that the government would continue to create opportunities for investors, creatives and tourism practitioners.

The commissioner expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support of the sector and pledged that the ministry would sustain policies and programmes aimed at consolidating Lagos’ position as Africa’s foremost tourism, entertainment and cultural destination.