Lagos Commissioner advocates ethical, culturally grounded use of AI in creative sector

By Folashade Olorunfemi

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has called for a balanced and ethical approach to the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), one that respects intellectual property rights and safeguards Africa’s diverse cultural narratives.

She reiterated the State Government’s commitment to leveraging AI as a tool for creativity, innovation, and sustainable growth in the entertainment and media sectors.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, the Commissioner made the call while delivering the keynote address at the European Union AI+ Entertainment Media Content Day organised by the World Bank in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Addressing an audience of innovators, creators, policymakers, and development partners, Benson-Awoyinka described the event as a timely platform to explore how AI is transforming storytelling, production, and audience engagement globally.

She reaffirmed Lagos’s position as Africa’s creative capital through sustained investments in initiatives that empower filmmakers, musicians, fashion designers, and digital artists.
“Technology and creativity are no longer separate conversations,” she said. “They are two sides of the same coin driving the future of work, culture, and commerce.”

Highlighting recent milestones, the Commissioner cited the premiere of Makemation, Africa’s first feature film on Artificial Intelligence, as a testament to Lagos State’s forward-looking vision. She noted that the project represents a new phase in Nigeria’s creative and technological evolution one that creates opportunities for innovators and strengthens Lagos’s position as a continental hub for digital storytelling and film technology.

Benson-Awoyinka also emphasized the role of the Lagos Creative Industry Initiative (LACI) in fostering digital skills and capacity-building among young creatives. She said LACI’s innovation labs and partnerships ensure that the creative industry contributes not only to entertainment but also to economic growth and technological advancement.

The Commissioner commended the European Union and the World Bank for their continued support in developing Nigeria’s creative and digital economy. She urged industry players to embrace AI as an enabling tool rather than a threat to originality.

“We must see Artificial Intelligence not as a threat to creativity, but as a catalyst for expression a tool that enhances human imagination, efficiency, and reach,” she said. “As we embrace AI, we must remember that while technology may power the process, creativity remains the heartbeat of our humanity.”