By Henry Obetta

The Lagos State government said it has intensified efforts to position tourism and the creative economy as major drivers of economic growth, saying the sector is being deliberately developed to attract multi-billion naira investments, create jobs and expand opportunities for small businesses.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, disclosed this in an interview with journalists while highlighting the achievements of the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to Aregbe, the state is implementing a long-term strategy aimed at transforming Lagos from a destination known primarily for entertainment into a leading cultural and tourism hub capable of generating sustainable economic value.

He said: “The idea is to create a movement where entertainment powers commerce and Lagos creativity fuels economic growth.”
He noted that one of the key initiatives driving the strategy is the Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair, organised in partnership with Naija Brand Chick, which has become one of the largest platforms for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, in the state.

According to him, the April 2025 edition held in Lagos Island attracted over 220 vendors and about 75,000 visitors, generating more than N1 billion in sales, while subsequent editions were designed to drive even greater economic activity.

Aregbe explained that the government is leveraging tourism, entertainment and cultural events as commercial platforms to support traders, manufacturers, service providers and entrepreneurs.

The Special Adviser also highlighted the introduction of Tourism Support Services, a framework involving multiple state agencies including LASTMA, LASEMA, LAWMA, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Safety Commission, Civil Defence, LNSC and RRS to improve safety, sanitation, emergency response and traffic management during major tourism periods such as Detty December, religious celebrations and international festivals.

He said the government launched 101 Days in Lagos, a structured calendar of events designed to promote the state’s festive season as a tourism product capable of driving patronage for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, entertainment centres and SMEs to further strengthen tourism.
He added that the administration is also investing in the creative economy through Skill Up Lagos, a programme that has trained and empowered more than 1,000 creatives over the past two years.

He said: “The initiative is designed to equip artists, designers, performers and cultural entrepreneurs not only with technical skills but also with the ability to earn from their craft and build sustainable livelihoods,”
Aregbe further identified food tourism as another major pillar of the state’s tourism agenda through the Cook Lagos, Eat Lagos initiative, which seeks to promote Lagos cuisine globally while creating opportunities for food vendors, chefs, agro-entrepreneurs and hospitality businesses.

He said the government has also continued to use cultural festivals and heritage events to stimulate local commerce and tourism, citing interventions at the Kayo-Kayo Festival in Epe, support for the Olojo Festival, cultural diplomacy engagements in Paris and Harrisburg, and the promotion of museums, galleries and heritage sites across the state.

The government, he added, is equally working to attract stronger private-sector and diaspora participation in the tourism ecosystem.
According to him, partnerships with private operators such as Giwa Gardens Water Park provided 100,000 free festive-season tickets and sponsored recreational experiences for 1,000 underprivileged children as part of efforts to make tourism more inclusive.

Aregbe said initiatives such as Detty Fusion, developed in partnership with Access Bank, are helping residents and visitors discover events and experiences across Lagos more easily.

“The bigger goal is to change the way people see Lagos. Rather than being viewed only as a party destination, we want Lagos to be recognised as a serious cultural capital where festivals, heritage, food, music, art and nightlife translate into investment opportunities and business growth,” he said.

He added that projects such as the commissioning of the Eyo Statue at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History and cultural gatherings like Culturati are part of broader efforts to build a tourism identity rooted in heritage, commerce and international visibility.