As part of measures to deepen regional collaboration and strengthen the creative and tourism industries across West Africa, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has hosted a high-level delegation from the Ghana Creative Arts Agency in the state.
In her address during the visit held at the ministry’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described the engagement as a strategic opportunity for knowledge exchange, institutional partnerships, and sustainable growth in the creative sector.
“Lagos does not compete. We create and collaborate. It is a pleasure to host our brothers and sisters from Ghana. This engagement is about synergy, shared learning, and laying a foundation for cross-border support systems that benefit creatives throughout the region,” the commissioner said.
Highlighting the state’s prominent role as a cultural and creative leader in Africa, Benson-Awoyinka reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to developing a comprehensive, year-round calendar of tourism and cultural events.
She noted that consistent programming would further position Lagos as a premier destination for arts, culture, and tourism.
She also emphasised the economic potential of the creative sector, describing it as a formal industry capable of boosting the local economy when properly harnessed. She said, “Creativity is a vast industry, and everyone has a role to play in its advancement.”
The commissioner further pledged the ministry’s full support for the upcoming Speed Boat Racing and Creative Summit, scheduled for October 2025, describing it as an innovative platform to showcase Lagos’ waterfront culture and diverse creative talents.
She underscored the importance of institutional backing, sustainable public-private funding, and youth empowerment across all creative disciplines.
Leading the Ghanaian delegation, Ag. Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency of Ghana, Mr. Gideon Aryeequaye, admired Lagos’ structured approach to cultural development and affirmed Ghana’s commitment to building similar frameworks.
“We’ve always admired Lagos from afar, and this visit has confirmed why you are regarded as a big sister in the creative space,” he said. “Our purpose here is to learn, collaborate, and grow together.”
