Lagos backs 140 cultural festivals, events with N8.4b to boost tourism

Lagos State government has revealed that it supported over 140 cultural festivals, creative programmes, and tourism events between May 2024 and May 2025 with N8.4 billion.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this on Wednesday at the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark the second year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Benson-Awoyinka said the funds were channeled through the ministry’s Creative Arts Department to sponsor a wide range of activities spanning music concerts, film and fashion events, art exhibitions, food and cultural festivals, as well as industry empowerment platforms.

The goal, she said, is to fuel economic growth, create jobs, and amplify Lagos’s cultural influence on the global stage.

“This robust investment reflects our unwavering commitment to cementing Lagos’s position as the heartbeat of creativity and culture in Africa.

“From local community festivals to internationally recognised showcases, every supported initiative contributes meaningfully to heritage preservation, youth development, tourism growth, and global visibility for Lagos,” she added.

In addition to financial sponsorships, the commissioner said the ministry issued 124 endorsement letters to creative stakeholders to assist them in securing corporate sponsorships and partnerships for their initiatives, saying these endorsements have become crucial in drawing private sector support for cultural projects.

Some of the high-profile events supported by the Ministry include Felabration, Lagos Fashion Week, World Tourism Day, Africa Fashion Week London, Queen Moremi the Musical, Eyo Mini Parade, Naija Native Fest, Afrofood & Drinks Festival, and the World Travel Market, among others.

The commissioner highlighted that these events were not only cultural showcases but also served as platforms for job creation, youth empowerment, and international tourism engagement.

“Our investments are strategic, targeted, and inclusive—covering everything from children’s art programmes to physically challenged fashion shows and indigenous music concerts,” she noted.

Benson-Awoyinka emphasised that the Sanwo-Olu administration remains determined to strengthen the cultural economy through collaborative partnerships with local artists, creative entrepreneurs, and global tourism organisations.

“The ministry will continue to harness the transformative power of arts and culture to drive innovation, economic resilience, and social harmony,” she assured.