LASG to drive SMEs growth through tourism

The Lagos State Government has disclosed plans to attract multi-billion-naira investments and expand opportunities for small businesses through tourism.

The government noted that strategies have been designed to attract investments and make tourism a major economic driver in Lagos.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, stated this while briefing newsmen, according to a statement made available to The PidomNigeria on Thursday by his office.

He said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration had built a deliberate framework to achieve the objective.

While reeling out activities of the administration through his office, Aregbe said Lagos’ cultural economy is capable of producing jobs, attracting capital, and empowering local entrepreneurs.

According to him, the strategy had already begun to take shape through a series of tourism, arts, and business initiatives that combine public policy with private-sector investment.

He listed the Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair, co-produced with Naija Brand Chick, emerging as the largest SME gathering that drew more than 220 vendors and an estimated 75,000 attendees in its April 2025 Island edition, with a sales target of N5 billion as one of the initiatives.

According to him, the event generated more than N1bn in sales, while a Mainland edition in Ikeja later expanded the push further, targeting another N5bn in cumulative sales.

He argued that the trade fair reflected a central policy direction of the state.

“The idea is to create a movement where entertainment powers commerce and Lagos creativity fuels economic growth,” Aregbe said.

He noted that Lagos is also banking on tourism infrastructure and public safety as essential tools for economic growth.

During the year under review, Sanwo-Olu’s aide said that Lagos formalised Tourism Support Services, a year-round operational framework involving agencies such as LASTMA, LASEMA, LAWMA, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Safety Commission, Civil Defence, LNSC, and RRS.

According to him, the initiative was aimed at ensuring that Lagos remains visitor-ready during peak periods such as Detty December, summer holidays, religious events, and international festivals.

He said the seasonal tourism push was further strengthened with the launch of 101 Days in Lagos, a calendar of events introduced in September 2025 to organise and market the ember months as a structured tourism product.

He further disclosed that efforts were ongoing by the government to deepen the creative economy through Skill Up Lagos, a programme that has empowered more than 1,000 creatives over the last 24 months.

“The state has also used culture as a tool for local trade promotion. At the Kayo-Kayo Festival in Epe, the office mobilised travel influencers and tourism enthusiasts to spotlight Oja Chief, the historic fish market at the centre of the festival. It also coordinated free fish delivery to customers, an intervention that directly boosted sales for women traders in the market.

“Other cultural engagements during the period included Isese Day royal palace visits, support for the Olojo Festival, the premiere of Anikulapo, international cultural diplomacy events in Paris and Harrisburg, and a major cultural tour of Lagos galleries and museums aimed at strengthening the art market.”

Aregbe stressed that despite the programmes designed to boost the economy, the government had not abandoned the plan to attract stronger private-sector and diaspora interest.

“During the year, we partnered with Giwa Gardens Water Park and other corporate brands to offer 100,000 free festive-season tickets and sponsor 1,000 less-privileged children, a move designed to make recreation more inclusive while stimulating tourism demand.

“Also, the Detty Fusion platform, launched with Access Bank, was presented as another innovation aimed at simplifying how Nigerians at home and abroad discover events, plan outings, and experience Lagos during the festive season,” he said.

According to Aregbe, the bigger goal is to change the way the market sees Lagos.

Aregbe said, “From the Culturati gathering in December, which drew more than 700 guests including cultural royalty, to the commissioning of the Eyo Statue at the John Randle Centre, the government is deliberately building a tourism identity rooted in heritage, commerce and international visibility.”