The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has deepened its engagement with grassroots stakeholders through a strategic meeting held on Saturday, 22nd August 2026, at Delborough Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The meeting, convened by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Ismaila Oyekan, was themed: “A Lagos that Works for Everyone, Everywhere”.
The engagement, which was organised for Supervisors, Special Advisers, and representatives from Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and development partners, among others, provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and exploring strategic partnerships to advance tourism and cultural development across the State.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Idris Aregbe stressed the critical role of grassroots participation in shaping Lagos’ tourism and cultural landscape. He noted that the meeting was designed to foster meaningful dialogue, test innovative ideas, and build partnerships that will strengthen tourism and cultural initiatives at the community level.
According to him: “Every festival, every heritage site, every cultural experience that puts Lagos on the map begins at the grassroots. This meeting is a reminder that the work of building a global tourism destination starts locally, with the men and women who represent us across the Local Governments and LCDAs.”
Mr. Aregbe further reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to empowering LGAs and LCDAs as active custodians and promoters of Lagos’ rich cultural heritage.
He emphasised that stronger collaboration at the grassroots will drive inclusivity, creativity, heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism development, in line with the vision of positioning Lagos as Africa’s premier tourism and entertainment destination.
The engagement underscored the Ministry’s resolve to build stronger partnerships with grassroots stakeholders and ensure that tourism and cultural development remain inclusive, community-driven, and beneficial to all residents of Lagos State.
The event also had the presence of the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, who highlighted the growing global interest in Lagos’ tourism, arts, and cultural potential.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to empowering LGAs and LCDAs to preserve heritage, drive creativity, and position Lagos as Africa’s leading tourism and entertainment hub
