Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has disbursed over ₦8,4bn on various cultural events, festivals in the last year aimed at boosting local talents discovery, job creation opportunities, among other dynamic eco-systems.
The State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this at the 2025 annual Ministerial briefing, commemorating the second year in the second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday at Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Benson-Awoyinka, “The Ministry, through the Creative Arts Department, has sponsored over143 festivals, events, and programmes from May 2024 to date, with the sum of approximately ₦8,475,238,265.00 only.
“In addition, the ministry has issued endorsement letters to over 124 creative stakeholders to support their efforts in seeking sponsorship for their various initiatives.
“This robust investment reflects the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to positioning Lagos as the leading hub for arts, culture, and entertainment in Africa.
“The supported initiatives span community festivals, cultural showcases, entertainment events, fashion weeks, art exhibitions, industry engagements, youth empowerment platforms, and global tourism summits.
“Each initiative contributes significantly to cultural preservation, economic stimulation, job creation, tourism inflow, and global media visibility—reinforcing Lagos’s brand as a dynamic creative capital and one of the continent’s most vibrant cultural destinations.”
She listed some of the events and festivals supported to include: Brazilian Descendant Arts & Culture Association (BDACA), Lagos Shopping Festival, Twin Fest Africana, Groove and Food Festival, Nigeria Soup Festival, TM Perfume Launch, Sango World Festival, Kenny Saint Ogungbe Concert, Ede Mi Asa Mi Festival, Africa Fashion Designers Award, among others.
“Through this impactful portfolio of investments and partnerships, the ministry continues to drive the growth of the creative economy, empower cultural entrepreneurs, promote heritage, and expand Lagos’s global footprint as a thriving tourism and cultural capital,” Benson-Awoyinka stated.
The commissioner stressed that the key achievements and milestones recorded by the Ministry in the last 12 months, were proof of the present administration’s unwavering commitment to making Lagos the creative and tourism capital of Africa.
Benson -Awoyinka continued: “As part of its strategic mandate, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture continues to prioritize regular engagement with key stakeholders to assess the state of the tourism sector, identify pressing challenges, and explore viable avenues for governmental intervention.
“This approach ensures that policy direction remains inclusive, data-informed, and aligned with the realities faced by industry practitioners.
“Over the past year, the Ministry has strengthened its symbiotic relationship with stakeholders across various segments of the tourism ecosystem.
“We have continued to develop and refine policies that serve as a framework for tourism activities in Lagos State, while also implementing impactful programmes and projects that enhance the experience of both residents and visitors directly contributing to the actualization of the Fifth Pillar of the THEMES Plus agenda.
“In line with this objective, the Ministry engaged with notable industry leaders, including Mr. Nkereweum Onung, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), and Mrs Bolaji Mustapha, the President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP).
“These high-level engagements focused on critical areas such as capacity building for tourism officers and the development of strategic partnerships aimed at expanding the reach and appeal of Lagos State as a premier tourist destination.
“Furthermore, on 30th May 2024, the Ministry convened a stakeholder engagement session specifically targeting players in the hospitality sector.
“The forum brought together a diverse range of operators, inclusive hotel managers, lounge and restaurant owners, bar and nightclub operators, as well as representatives of beach resorts. Discussions at this session centered on prevailing industry challenges, evolving global trends, the review of policy frameworks, and potential areas for collaboration across the hospitality value chain.
“A key outcome of the session was a consensus on the urgent need to address the issue of multiple taxation, which had been identified as a major impediment to growth and investment in the sector. The Ministry has since taken proactive steps towards initiating policy dialogue with relevant regulatory bodies to streamline taxation and create a more enabling business environment.
“These engagements reflect the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable development, promoting stakeholder inclusiveness, and positioning Lagos as a vibrant and competitive hub for tourism and hospitality in Africa.”
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