Tourism Expert Hails Greater Lagos 2025 Countdown Success

Mr Ikechi Uko, a tourism expert, has commended Lagos State Government for the success of the recently held Greater Lagos Countdown 2025.

Uko, in a statement on Friday in Lagos, said the state has not only positioned itself as an entertainment hub but also as an important destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

The Newsmen reports that the Greater Lagos Countdown 2025 held Dec. 31, 2024, at Tafawa Balewa Square.

The event featured artistes like: Olamide, Adewale Ayuba, Runtown, Bnxn, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Niniola, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold among others.

Uko congratulated Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, for putting up a successful show.

“Congratulations, Madam Toke Benson. You have made Nigeria proud. We are now on the global tourism spotlight.

“Now, we can confidently say that Lagos is not only becoming the MICE capital of West Africa but firmly the entertainment capital of Africa.

“It took many years building up to this, but you and your team pulled off a great 2024.

“With a little bit more planning, we can all market Nigeria as a destination for international tourists.

“There is now something more to sell. Yes, the transportation issues still exist, but we have one year to plan and make December 2025 the best year for tourism in Nigeria.

“I have assessed the commissioner critically based on: tourism asset development, policy, stakeholders engagement, support for MICE, world tourism day, events and activations, marketing, city art installations, and the Lagos countdown.”

According to Uko, Benson-Awoyinka performed tremendously in 2024, alongside Mr Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture.

NAN