Lagos State government through the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture has said that it would leverage the local tourism ecosystem to attract foreign investors and boost the state economy.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson Awoyinka, stated this in Lagos during a press conference to announce the 2026 Lagos Fanti Carnival scheduled to hold on Monday 6th April, 2026 at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
She said that Lagos stands as a vibrant melting pot of cultures, histories, and traditions, stressing that effort must be made to expand the cultural ecosystem of Lagos, project its richness, creativity, and the cultural excellence that defines it.
Awoyinka described the carnival as a compelling reflection of the state diversity, which was designed to celebrate the rich heritage of the Afro-Brazilian returnees and the enduring cultural ties between Lagos and the wider Atlantic world.
“The Fanti Carnival is a living narrative, an expression of identity, resilience, and community. Through its colourful costumes, rhythmic music, captivating dances, and theatrical displays, it brings history to life while connecting generations through shared cultural experiences.
“As a Ministry, we remain resolute in our commitment to harnessing cultural tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth, social cohesion, and global visibility for Lagos State. Events such as the Fanti Carnival play a vital role in stimulating local enterprise, empowering creatives, and reinforcing Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading destination for arts and culture.
“We are also deliberate about reimagining our cultural heritage in ways that resonate with younger generations while preserving its authenticity. The Fanti Carnival continues to evolve, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation, ensuring its relevance, vibrancy, and global competitiveness,” she said.
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In her remark, the General Manager National Theatre, Mrs Tola Akerele applauded the initiative by the state and relevant partners, stating that government support would go a long way to further support the preservation of culture and traditions.
“It can only continue with government support, because this is about heritage, culture, about who we are, where we have come from, where we’re going for the youth. So this carnival is essential for those that came back from Brazil over 100 years ago and it’s something that brings back the memory of where they came from. Lagos State is the heartbeat of culture and creativity, so I am not surprised that this event and this carnival has been supported by them,” she said.
Economic Benefits
A member of the advisory board of the Carnival, Mrs Aduke Gomez said that aside from the proper carnival, there would also be a summit organised to dissect the benefits of the Fanti Carnival to Lagos and the national economy.
Highlighting some of the benefits of the Summit slated for 2nd April at the Glover Hall, Lagos Island, Gomez emphasised on its economic impacts.
She said “Carnivals are great, but we forget sometimes that they are an economic tool. They are a way for communities to generate money, and to ensure that that money continues so that the cycle continues. And so this summit will play a very important part in situating in our minds the business case for carnivals.
“And there are going to be three panels, the first is Economic Synergy and Trade Collaboration, the second panel is on creative economy and cultural exchange, while the third panel is on heritage preservation and cultural diplomacy.”
Airtight Security
The Project Director of Fanti Carnival, Mrs Bolaji Animashaun acknowledged the support of the critical stakeholders in the state, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the Fire and Rescue Service, Safety Commission among others, while assuring funseekers of a water-tight security at the event.
Others Stakeholders at the event commended Lagos State for supporting the nobel initiative aimed at preserving the culture and tradition.