By: Tijani Salako.

The Lagos State Government officials has undertaken a strategic study tour to the Republic of Benin as part of efforts to strengthen heritage preservation and enhance tourism development, particularly in Badagry.

The delegation, led by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, included the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr. Adekunle Olayinka; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila.

Others on the tour were management staff of the ministry and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sageto Nigeria Limited, Engr. Salim Abou Jaoude, alongside other delegates.

The two-day working visit, which was held from March 17 to 18, 2026, took the team from Badagry to Cotonou, with a focus on exploring opportunities to reposition Lagos’ heritage tourism assets.

As part of the tour, the delegation visited key historical landmarks in Ouidah, including the Point of No Return, the Slave Market, and the Amazon Statue, where they understudied global best practices in heritage conservation and immersive cultural tourism.

The visit is aimed at drawing lessons that can be applied to the development of Badagry, a town widely regarded as a major historical hub linked to the transatlantic slave trade.

The state government said the initiative underscores its commitment to preserving shared history, promoting cultural diplomacy, and elevating Lagos’ tourism offerings to meet global standards.