The Lagos state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture said the government has spent the sum of N8, 475,238,265.00 on various cultural events and festivals in the last one year.
This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka .
She said the decision was aimed at boosting local talents discovery, and job creation among other dynamic eco-systems.
The Commissioner spoke on Thursday, at the 2025 annual ministerial press briefing, held at Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the second year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Benson-Awoyinka said, “The Ministry, through the Creative Arts Department, has sponsored over143 festivals, events, and programmes from May 2024 to date, with the sum of approximately ₦8,475,238,265.00 only.
“In addition, the ministry has issued endorsement letters to over124 creative stakeholders to support their efforts in seeking sponsorship for their various initiatives.
“This robust investment reflects the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to positioning Lagos as the leading hub for arts, culture, and entertainment in Africa.
“The supported initiatives span community festivals, cultural showcases, entertainment events, fashion weeks, art exhibitions, industry engagements, youth empowerment platforms, and global tourism summits.
“Each initiative contributes significantly to cultural preservation, economic stimulation, job creation, tourism inflow, and global media visibility—reinforcing Lagos’s brand as a dynamic creative capital and one of the continent’s most vibrant cultural destinations.”
She listed some of the events and festivals supported such as 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, Ede Mi Asa Mi Festival, Africa Fashion Designers Award, among others.