Tourism: Lagos spends N8.4bn sponsoring 143 cultural events in one year

By Adeola Ogunrinde
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has disclosed that the state spent N8.4 billion to sponsor 143 cultural events between May 2024 and May 2025.
She made the disclosure during the 2025 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing in Lagos, held to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.
Benson-Awoyinka said the sponsorship was part of efforts to reaffirm Lagos State’s status as Africa’s cultural and entertainment hub.
The events included music concerts, film and fashion shows, art exhibitions, food and cultural festivals, and adire festivals.
Major events sponsored by the state include Felabration, Lagos Fashion Week, Africa Fashion Week London, Queen Moremi the Musical, World Tourism Day, Naija Native Fest, Afrofood & Drinks Festival, and the World Travel Market.
The commissioner also revealed that the ministry had proposed making the wearing of native attire compulsory for all public servants one day a week.
In addition, she said 124 endorsement letters were issued to creative industry stakeholders to help them secure sponsorships and partnerships from private sector organizations.