By Aderonke Ojediran
Lagos State Government is repositioning culture, tourism and the creative economy as year-round growth drivers that would move beyond the Detty December season to generate economic value throughout the year.
Mr Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, gave the assurance during an interview with journalists on efforts to strengthen the status of Lagos as Africa’s premier tourism destination.
Aregbe said the state government was rewriting the narrative of the cultural economy of Lagos by ensuring that tourism activities would remain vibrant throughout the year.
He said that tourism activities would no longer be concentrated only during festive periods and holidays.
According to him, the strategy is designed to boost the state’s gross domestic product, attract local and international visitors, create jobs and unlock opportunities across tourism, hospitality and creative industries.
“We now regard culture as infrastructure capable of driving economic growth, creating jobs, strengthening identity and projecting our unique heritage globally.
“Our vision is to position Lagos as Africa’s foremost cultural and tourism destination where opportunities are created consistently and economic value generated year-round,” Aregbe said.
He said that from June 2025 to May 2026, the Sanwo-Olu administration implemented initiatives, partnerships and events carefully designed to sustain visitor engagement, economic activity and cultural participation across seasons.
According to him, the government’s efforts are anchored on the Lagos Cultural Mission, a framework established to transform culture from isolated events into a continuous economic, social and diplomatic asset.
Aregbe said that one of the flagship programmes under the initiative, Skill Up Lagos, empowered more than 1,000 creatives within the last 24 months through training, mentorship and professional development opportunities.
“Through Skill Up Lagos, we are supporting artists, designers, performers and cultural entrepreneurs with skills, visibility and opportunities required to build sustainable livelihoods and compete effectively in global markets,” Aregbe said.
He said that the initiative brought together concerts, nightlife activities, festivals and cultural programmes into a cohesive platform that improved visitor experiences and stimulated broader economic participation.
Aregbe said the government had also placed food tourism at the centre of its development strategy through the Cook Lagos, Eat Lagos and Grow Lagos initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous cuisine.
According to him, the programme celebrates local foods while creating opportunities for chefs, food vendors, hospitality operators, agricultural entrepreneurs and investors seeking growth within the tourism ecosystem.
“Our gastronomy tourism model connects culinary education, food tourism and agricultural enterprise.
“We want Lagos cuisine to become a major attraction while generating economic benefits across the entire value chain,” he said.
The adviser said that the state’s cultural calendar had become increasingly vibrant, with festivals, exhibitions, tours and heritage programmes, attracting visitors and residents throughout the year.
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He said the Kayo-Kayo Festival in Epe attracted more than 1,000 participants in July 2025, while government interventions promoted the historic Oja Chief Fish Market and supported local commerce.
“In August, we participated in palace visits during Isese Day celebration, recognising Yoruba heritage and traditions, while September witnessed the launch of Tourism Support Services to improve visitor experiences.”
“By October, Beauty in Motherland brought together more than 500 stakeholders for business engagements, while government support extended to cultural milestones that celebrated creativity, innovation and heritage.
Aregbe added that arts and museum tours organised in November exposed influencers and creative professionals to Lagos’s cultural assets, while See Lagos, See Culture attracted more than 500 participants.
He described December as a major highlight of the state’s cultural calendar, citing the 19th edition of Culturati, which attracted over 700 guests, including prominent traditional rulers from other parts of Nigeria.
“The month also witnessed the commissioning of the Eyo Statue at the John Randle Centre, reflecting our commitment to preserving Lagos heritage and celebrating cultural identity for future generations,” he said.
Aregbe said the state government supported the programmes not merely as entertainment activities but as instruments of inclusive tourism capable of stimulating commerce, investment and widespread economic participation.
He said that the government introduced the Detty Fusion digital platform to assist tourists, particularly Nigerians in the diaspora, in planning visits and accessing tourism information more seamlessly.
According to him, the initiative has improved the global visibility of Lagos, strengthened diplomatic engagements, encouraged cultural exchanges and generated increasing interest from international tourism and investment partners.
“We have recorded stronger diplomatic engagements, hosted cultural tours for American visitors and deepened partnerships with stakeholders from Canada and other countries interested in Lagos tourism.”
“The message remains clear: Lagos cannot allow its cultural wealth to peak only once annually.
“Festivals, food, nightlife, heritage assets and creative talents must generate value continuously.
“The challenge before us is not whether Lagos can entertain the world for 101 days.
“The challenge is proving that culture can generate jobs, investment and economic value everyday of the year,” Aregbe said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)