LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the state as Africa’s leading cultural and entertainment hub, with the investment of over ₦8.4 billion in more than 140 cultural festivals, creative programmes, and tourism events between May 2024 and May 2025.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, during the 2025 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing held in Lagos to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
According to Benson-Awoyinka, the funds were channelled 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,” the commissioner said.
“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 had 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 remained 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.
Here’s a full list of supported events, programmes and festivals: Brazilian Descendant Arts & Culture Association (BDACA); 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; Ede Mi Asa Mi Festival; Africa Fashion Designers Award; NCCH Adire & Food Festival; Wear Nigeria Fashion Exhibition; Night of Tribute for Late Dejumo Lewis and Kurunmi: The Stage Play.
Others include: Inter-Schools Cultural Quiz; Twin Fest Africana Festival; Efe/Gélédé Festival; A Night with the Creatives; Lagos Fashion Week; Coconut Festival; Milliners Association Hat Exhibition; Alimosho Kulture Fest; Hundeton Festival of Lise Shrine; Creative Industry Summit; Shamadeen Imole Foundation; Ayankemi Fasure Johnson African Heritage Concert; Support for the Burial of Adejumo Lewis; Crafting Art with Pencil; African Youth Tourism Festival; Eko-Fest: Everybody Loves Jennifer; Lagos Cultural Heritage: Asa ati Ede; Zangbeto Ajido Festival; Ayan Day Celebration; Eko Campus Fest; DJ Ferari Live Concert; Awelewa Cultural PageantLagos Love Carnival; Traditional Attire Fashion Show and Islander Faji Evening.
Some others are: Hairy Audacious Goal; Selewu; Community Day Festival; Digi Cultural Festival; Festival of Creative Art and Drawing; Awuse Onigbongbo Festival; World Creativity and Innovation Day; Oju L’Oge Fashion ParadeIbile Beauty Pageant; Africaribbean Carnival at UNILAG; Elegba Festival; KSB Symphonies of Glory Concert; Tragedy of Ecstasy: Lagos Biennial; Ela Festival; Lagos International Theatre Festival; Kurunmi: Stage Play; Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos Beauty Pageant; 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 and Entertainment of the Creatives.
More festivals include: Heritage and Festival: Community Stakeholders Engagement; 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; Art Exhibition of Echoes of Eko; 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 Decade National Movie; Idance Festival; Lagos Heritage Festival and Art Market; Lagos Fashion Heritage; Abbey (Solo Art Wear); Live Theatre Lagos; Okan Pa Aso Oke Fest; Spotlight Concert (first edition); Wear Nigeria; Adubiifa Network Company; Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos (additional edition) and The Ọkan Ọba Project.
Others are: The Water Steeze Edition (LAGFERRY); Lagos Women Dance; Eebi Festival; Lagos Canvas in London; World Creativity and Innovation Day (repeat initiative); Global Citizen; The Festival of Nigerian Arts; Drug Abuse Conference; Generation Next 2025 and the Implosion; Traditional Attire Fashion Parade Show for Physically Challenged Individuals; Agasapo Ehepo Vothun Eseto Festival; Wine and Dine with African CuisineYoruba Films and Music Festival Awards (YFMF); Itana – Fashion Reality TV Show; Lagos @ 58 and Children’s Day Celebration; Creamytolly Cultural Initiative; JAFEXTRA; Intergenerational Cultural Exchange Program; Kayo Kayo Festival; Spotlight Concert (second edition); Jollof Rice War Festival; Epe Kayokayo Cultural Boat Regatta; 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 Display; Okosi Ajegunle Cultural Day; Lagos Arts and Photography Exhibition; Arewa Cultural Fest; Oba’s Palace Youth Cultural Workshop; Ikate Festival; Yoruba Cultural Dance Competition; Back2Base Traditional Festival; AfroLagos Beats Street Party; Campus Talent Discovery Fair; Eyo Mini Parade for Children and Independence Day Art & Music Showcase.
