The Lagos State Government has reiterated its dedication to establishing the state as the foremost center for culture and entertainment in Africa, having invested over ₦8.4 billion in more than 140 cultural festivals, creative initiatives, and tourist events from May 2024 through May 2025.
The information was revealed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, at the 2025 Annual Ministerial Press Conference in Lagos. This event took place to celebrate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, marking two years since he began his current tenure.
Benson-Awoyinka states that the money was directed through the Ministry’s Creative Arts Division to support an extensive array of initiatives including musical performances, movie and style gatherings, visual arts displays, culinary and cultural celebrations, along with business development forums.
Her aim, she stated, is to boost economic development, generate employment opportunities, and enhance Lagos’s cultural impact on the international scene.
“This significant investment underscores our steadfast dedication to solidifying Lagos’s role as the epicenter of creativity and culture in Africa,” stated the commissioner.
“Whether it’s neighborhood events or globally recognized platforms, each initiative we back significantly aids in safeguarding our heritage, fostering youth development, boosting tourism, and enhancing international recognition for Lagos,” she said.
The commissioner mentioned that besides financial sponsorships, the Ministry provided 124 endorsement letters to creative individuals and organizations to help them obtain corporate sponsorships and collaborations for their ventures. He emphasized that these endorsements have turned into essential tools for attracting private sector backing for cultural endeavors.
Several prominent occasions backed by the Ministry encompass
Felabration
,
Lagos Fashion Week, Global Tourism Day, African Fashion Week in London, Queen Moremi the Musical, Small-scale Eyo Procession, Nigerian Cultural Celebration, African Food and Beverage Festival, and the World Travel Market
, among others.
The commissioner emphasized that these events functioned not just as cultural exhibitions but also acted as stages for generating employment opportunities, empowering young people, and engaging with global tourism.
“Our investments are strategic, focused, and equitable, spanning initiatives such as children’s arts programs, fashion events for people with physical disabilities, and performances of indigenous music,” she pointed out.
Benson-Awoyinka stressed that the Sanwo-Olu administration was committed to bolstering the cultural economy via cooperative alliances with local artists, creative business owners, and international tourism organizations.
“The Ministry remains committed to leveraging the transformative potential of art and culture to foster innovation, strengthen economic resilience, and promote social cohesion,” she affirmed.
COMPLETE RANGE OF COVERED EVENTS, INITIATIVES & CELEBRATIONS
- Brazilian Heritage Arts & Culture Association (BHACA)
- Lagos Shopping Festival
- Twin Fest Africana
- Groove and Food Festival
- Nigeria Soup Festival
- TM Perfume Launch
- Sango World Festival
- Kenny Saint Ogungbe Concert
- Go Culture
- When Is the Ede Mi Asa Mi Festival?
- Africa Fashion Designers Award
- NCCH Arie & Food Festival
- Wear Nigeria Fashion Exhibition
- Evening of Remembrance for Late Dejumo Lewis
- Kurunmi: The Stage Play
- Inter-Schools Cultural Quiz
- Twin Fest Africana Festival
- Efe/Gélédé Festival
- An Evening with the Creators
- Lagos Fashion Week
- Coconut Festival
- Milliners Association Hat Exhibition
- Alimosho Kulture Fest
- Hunderton Festival at Lise Shrine
- Creative Industry Summit
- Shamadeen Imole Foundation
- Ayankemi Fasure Johnson African Heritage Concert
- Support for the Funeral of Adejumo Lewis
- Crafting Art with Pencil
- African Youth Tourism Festival
- Eko-Fest: Everybody Loves Jennifer
- Lagos Cultural Heritage: Style and Language
- Zangbeto Ajido Festival
- Ayan Day Celebration
- Eko Campus Fest
- DJ Ferari Live Concert
- Awelewa Cultural Pageant
- Lagos Love Carnival
- Traditional Attire Fashion Show
- Islander Faji Evening
- Hairy Audacious Goal
- Selewu Community Day Festival
- Digi Cultural Festival
- Art and Sketching Festival
- Awuse Onigbongbo Festival
- Global Creativity and Innovation Day
- Oju L’Oge Fashion Parade
- Ibile Beauty Pageant
- Africaribbean Carnival at UNILAG
- Elegba Festival
- KSB Glorious Symphony Concert
- Tragedy of Euphoria: Lagos Biennial
- Ela Festival
- Lagos International Theatre Festival
- Kurunmi: Stage Play
- Lagos’ Most Attractive Woman Beauty Contest
- Asa Day
- VVS Lagos Creative Convention
- Felabration
- Alakada Bad and Bougee
- World Tourism Day
- Door of Return
- World Travel Market
- Afropolis 2024
- African Fashion Week London
- Rema Live Concert
- Naija Native Fest
- Entertainment of the Creatives
- Culture and Festivity: Engaging Key Community Members
- Eko Akete Art Exhibition
- Afenifere Renewal Group
- QIB Production
- Operation Pure Eyes
- Kikida Empowerment Concert
- Gentle Breeze Concept
- Ifako-Ijaiye International Festival
- City Sport
- Ikorodu Oga Festival
- COSON
- The Unique Excel
- Echoes of Eko Art Exhibit
- Vergem Production
- Move Africa Lagos Concert
- Headies Award
- Fanti Carnival
- Lagos Canvas
- International Slave Day Abolition
- Ariya Eko Musical Festival
- Lagos Kreative Festival
- Creamytolly Traditional Hairstyle
- Two and a Half Decades of National Cinema
- Idance Festival
- Lagos Cultural Fest and Art Bazaar
- Lagos Fashion Heritage
- Abbey (Solo Art Wear)
- Live Theatre Lagos
- Okan Pa Aso Oke Festival
- Spotlight Concert (first edition)
- Wear Nigeria
- Adubiifa Network Company
- The Most Gorgeous Woman in Lagos (extra edition)
- The Ọkan Ọba Project
- The Water Thief Edition (LAGFERRY)
- Lagos Women Dance
- Eebi Festival
- Lagos Canvas in London
- World Creativity and Innovation Day (repeated initiative)
- Global Citizen
- The Nigeria Art Festival
- Drug Abuse Conference
- Next Generation 2025 and the Explosion
- Fashion Show Featuring Traditional Attire for People with Physical Disabilities
- Agasapo Ehepo Vothun Eseto Festival
- Savor and Soak in African Flavors Over Wine and Dine
- Yoruba Films and Music Festival Honors (YFMH)
- Itana – Fashion Reality Television Program
- Lagos at 58 and Children’s Day Celebrations
- Creamytolly Cultural Initiative
- JAFEXTRA
- Intergenerational Cultural Exchange Program
- Kayo Kayo Festival
- Spotlight Concert (second edition)
- Jollof Rice War Festival
- Epe Kayakoyo Cultural Boat Race
- Lagos Seafood Festival
- African Drums Festival
- Indigenous Language Music Concert
- Afrofood & Drinks Festival
- Queen Moremi Stage Play
- “Itesiwaju Eko” Cultural Parade
- Ikoyi Oba’s Day Celebration
- Oko Baba Eyo Masquerade Performance
- Okosi Ajegunle Cultural Day
- Lagos Art and Photo Show
- Arewa Cultural Fest
- Oba’s Palace Teen Cultural Workshop
- Ikate Festival
- Yoruba Cultural Dance Competition
- Back2Base Traditional Festival
- AfroLagos Beats Street Party
- Campus Talent Discovery Fair
- Children’s Eyo Mini Parade
- Independence Day Arts and Music Exhibition
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