By: Tijani Salako.

The Lagos State Government says it is intensifying investments in the creative economy, tourism and hospitality sectors through policy reforms, strategic partnerships and support for cultural enterprises.

Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing.

According to her, the ministry supported over 201 events, festivals and programmes within one year, representing an increase from 143 initiatives supported in the previous year.

The ministry also issued endorsement letters to more than 159 creative stakeholders to assist them in securing sponsorships and development partnerships.

Benson-Awoyinka said the supported initiatives cut across fashion, film, music, food tourism, arts exhibitions and cultural festivals, contributing significantly to job creation and economic activities.

She added that the government was implementing reforms aimed at harmonising hotel licensing procedures and tourism levies to create a more investor-friendly business environment.

The Commissioner noted that the ministry had already enumerated more than 500 tourism and hospitality establishments across the state.

She said Lagos also recorded increased cultural tourism traffic, with the J. Randle Centre attracting 56,040 visitors, Freedom Park recording 27,593 visitors and Badagry Heritage Museum receiving 10,908 visitors.

On the international front, Benson-Awoyinka disclosed that Lagos participated in major global tourism and creative industry platforms including GITEX Global Exhibition, AKWAABA African Travel Market, African Marketplace Dubai and Ghana Expo.

She said the state was also leveraging sports tourism and the blue economy through the E1 Lagos GP electric powerboat race.

According to her, the Sanwo-Olu administration remains focused on positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading destination for entertainment, tourism, culture and creative enterprise.