Epic spending spree: Lagos powers 143 cultural events with N8.4 billion

The 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.

FULL LIST OF SUPPORTED EVENTS, PROGRAMMES & FESTIVALS

1. Brazilian Descendant Arts & Culture Association (BDACA)
2. Lagos Shopping Festival
3. Twin Fest Africana
4. Groove and Food Festival
5. Nigeria Soup Festival
6. TM Perfume Launch
7. Sango World Festival
8. Kenny Saint Ogungbe Concert
9. Go Culture
10. Ede Mi Asa Mi Festival
11. Africa Fashion Designers Award
12. NCCH Adire & Food Festival
13. Wear Nigeria Fashion Exhibition
14. Night of Tribute for Late Dejumo Lewis
15. Kurunmi: The Stage Play
16. Inter-Schools Cultural Quiz
17. Twin Fest Africana Festival
18. Efe/Gélédé Festival
19. A Night with the Creatives
20. Lagos Fashion Week
21. Coconut Festival
22. Milliners Association Hat Exhibition
23. Alimosho Kulture Fest
24. Hundeton Festival of Lise Shrine
25. Creative Industry Summit
26. Shamadeen Imole Foundation
27. Ayankemi Fasure Johnson African Heritage Concert
28. Support for the Burial of Adejumo Lewis
29. Crafting Art with Pencil
30. African Youth Tourism Festival
31. Eko-Fest: Everybody Loves Jennifer
32. Lagos Cultural Heritage: Asa ati Ede
33. Zangbeto Ajido Festival
34. Ayan Day Celebration
35. Eko Campus Fest
36. DJ Ferari Live Concert
37. Awelewa Cultural Pageant
38. Lagos Love Carnival
39. Traditional Attire Fashion Show
40. Islander Faji Evening
41. Hairy Audacious Goal
42. Selewu Community Day Festival
43. Digi Cultural Festival
44. Festival of Creative Art and Drawing
45. Awuse Onigbongbo Festival
46. World Creativity and Innovation Day
47. Oju L’Oge Fashion Parade
48. Ibile Beauty Pageant
49. Africaribbean Carnival at UNILAG
50. Elegba Festival
51. KSB Symphonies of Glory Concert
52. Tragedy of Ecstasy: Lagos Biennial
53. Ela Festival
54. Lagos International Theatre Festival
55. Kurunmi: Stage Play
56. Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos Beauty Pageant
57. Asa Day
58. VVS Lagos Creative Convention
59. Felabration
60. Alakada Bad and Bougee
61. World Tourism Day
62. Door of Return
63. World Travel Market
64. Afropolis 2024
65. African Fashion Week London
66. Rema Live Concert
67. Naija Native Fest
68. Entertainment of the Creatives
69. Heritage and Festival: Community Stakeholders Engagement
70. Eko Akete Art Exhibition
71. Afenifere Renewal Group
72. QIB Production
73. Operation Pure Eyes
74. Kikida Empowerment Concert
75. Gentle Breeze Concept
76. Ifako-Ijaiye International Festival
77. City Sport
78. Ikorodu Oga Festival
79. COSON
80. The Unique Excel
81. Art Exhibition of Echoes of Eko
82. Vergem Production
83. Move Africa Lagos Concert
84. Headies Award
85. Fanti Carnival
86. Lagos Canvas
87. International Slave Day Abolition
88. Ariya Eko Musical Festival
89. Lagos Kreative Festival
90. Creamytolly Traditional Hairstyle
91. Two and a Half Decade National Movie
92. Idance Festival
93. Lagos Heritage Festival and Art Market
94. Lagos Fashion Heritage
95. Abbey (Solo Art Wear)
96. Live Theatre Lagos
97. Okan Pa Aso Oke Fest
98. Spotlight Concert (first edition)
99. Wear Nigeria
100. Adubiifa Network Company
101. Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos (additional edition)
102. The Ọkan Ọba Project
103. The Water Steeze Edition (LAGFERRY)
104. Lagos Women Dance
105. Eebi Festival
106. Lagos Canvas in London
107. World Creativity and Innovation Day (repeat initiative)
108. Global Citizen
109. The Festival of Nigerian Arts
110. Drug Abuse Conference
111. Generation Next 2025 and the Implosion
112. Traditional Attire Fashion Parade Show for Physically Challenged Individuals
113. Agasapo Ehepo Vothun Eseto Festival
114. Wine and Dine with African Cuisine
115. Yoruba Films and Music Festival Awards (YFMF)
116. Itana – Fashion Reality TV Show
117. Lagos @ 58 and Children’s Day Celebration
118. Creamytolly Cultural Initiative
119. JAFEXTRA
120. Intergenerational Cultural Exchange Program
121. Kayo Kayo Festival
122. Spotlight Concert (second edition)
123. Jollof Rice War Festival
124. Epe Kayokayo Cultural Boat Regatta
125. Lagos Seafood Festival
126. African Drums Festival
127. Indigenous Language Music Concert
128. Afrofood & Drinks Festival
129. Queen Moremi Stage Play
130. “Itesiwaju Eko” Cultural Parade
131. Ikoyi Oba’s Day Celebration
132. Oko Baba Eyo Masquerade Display
133. Okosi Ajegunle Cultural Day
134. Lagos Arts and Photography Exhibition
135. Arewa Cultural Fest
136. Oba’s Palace Youth Cultural Workshop
137. Ikate Festival
138. Yoruba Cultural Dance Competition
139. Back2Base Traditional Festival
140. AfroLagos Beats Street Party
141. Campus Talent Discovery Fair
142. Eyo Mini Parade for Children
143. Independence Day Art & Music Showcase