In a major push to cement its status as Africa’s premier creative hub, the Lagos State Government has intensified its support for cultural events, festivals, and programmes over the past year.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja.
Highlighting the ministry’s milestones over the last 12 months, the Commissioner noted that this marks a significant increase from the 143 initiatives supported during the previous year.
Driving the Creative Economy
According to Benson-Awoyinka, the state’s interventions were intentionally designed to boost global visibility, stimulate economic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and create jobs.
The funded projects spanned a diverse range of sectors within the creative economy, including:
Entertainment & Arts: Film, music, theatre, comedy, and art exhibitions.
Lifestyle & Tourism: Fashion, food tourism, and international travel events.
Youth Empowerment: Specialised programmes aimed at scaling local talent.
Major Highlights and Global Milestones
Lagos State’s sponsorship extended to several high-profile domestic and international fixtures. Key events backed by the ministry over the past year included:
Lagos Fanti Carnival 2026: Attracted over 40,000 participants, celebrating Afro-Brazilian heritage and drawing global tourists.
Flagship Festivals: Lagos Fashion Week, Lagos Cocktail Week, and the Lagos International Jazz Festival.
Industry Awards:
The AFRIMA Awards and The Headies Awards.
Sports Tourism: The E1 Lagos Grand Prix—notably recognised as Africa’s first all-electric powerboat race.
Tourism Hubs See Record Foot Traffic
The Ministry also reported robust visitor numbers across key cultural landmarks in the state, signalling a strong rebound in domestic and international tourism.
