- Revives Fanti Carnival
The Lagos State Government has announced a N8.4 billion investment in the creative sector over the past year, alongside the successful revival of the historic Fanti Carnival.
This was in a bold push to position Lagos as Africa’s top destination for culture and tourism in the state and country at large.
Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, revealed these achievements on Tuesday at the 2025 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing, commemorating the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office and six years of the administration’s transformative THEMES+ Agenda.
Between May 2024 and May 2025, the state government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, sponsored 143 cultural events and festivals, injecting over N8.47 billion into the sector.
From major festivals like Felabration, Lagos Fashion Week, and the Headies Awards, to grassroots cultural programmes such as Ede Mi Asa Mi and Efe/Gélédé, the state extended its support across the creative spectrum.
The Ministry also issued endorsement letters to 124 stakeholders, empowering them to secure external sponsorship and broaden their reach.
“These initiatives form the backbone of our effort to empower local talent, celebrate our diverse heritage, and attract global attention to Lagos as the creative heartbeat of Africa,” said the Commissioner.
One of the Ministry’s signature accomplishments was the revival of the iconic Fanti Carnival on April 20, 2025. Held at the Remembrance Arcade on Lagos Island, the vibrant event celebrated the Afro-Brazilian heritage of returnees from the 19th century, with Samba dancers, capoeira performances, and cultural exhibitions drawing large local and international crowds.
“The Fanti Carnival is more than a parade; it’s a reclaiming of our identity and a bridge to the diaspora,” Benson-Awoyinka noted.
To improve safety and regulation within the hospitality and tourism ecosystem, the state is finalizing a comprehensive Hotel Registration Platform — https://lasgtourism. com — for all establishments including hotels, Airbnbs, nightclubs, beaches, and restaurants. Certificates from this registry will soon become mandatory for display at all registered locations.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, efforts are also underway to regulate beach operations across the state, improve visitor experiences, and ensure environmental compliance. Strategic beachfronts such as Ilashe, Topo Island, Akodo, and Eko Tourist Beach are already being recovered for development.
The Commissioner also confirmed extensive engagements with tourism and hospitality associations such as FTAN and NATOP to address industry-wide concerns, including multiple taxation.
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
