… As Commissioners Highlight Opportunities For Tourism Promotion, Investment, Creative Industry Development
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, alongside the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, and the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo, on Monday, October 26, 2026, received a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to discuss preparations for the forthcoming Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Weekend 2026.
The meeting, held at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, focused on strengthening collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government to ensure the successful hosting of the international creative economy event.
During the engagement, Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka commended the delegation for its planning efforts and emphasised the importance of collaboration among relevant stakeholders in promoting Lagos State’s tourism, arts, culture, fashion, entertainment and creative industries.
She highlighted key considerations for a successful event, including logistics, accessibility, security, visitor experience and effective coordination among participating agencies and stakeholders.
She also stressed the need to showcase the state’s tourism destinations, cultural heritage and creative offerings to maximise opportunities for tourism promotion, investment and international exposure.
Leading the delegation, Special Adviser to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Efe Berber, briefed the Commissioners on preparations for CANEX Weekend 2026 and sought the Lagos State Government’s support and collaboration towards its successful delivery.
READ: Africa: Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Invites Entries For Seasonal Activities, December Celebrations
Mrs. Berber disclosed that the event, organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), is scheduled to hold from November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
She explained that CANEX Weekend 2026 is expected to attract local and international delegates, investors, creative industry practitioners, exhibitors and other stakeholders.
The event is designed to showcase Africa’s creative economy, promote investment opportunities and highlight the tourism, cultural and artistic potential of Lagos State.
The delegation also sought the support of the state commissioners in mobilising stakeholders across the tourism, entertainment, fashion and creative sectors to participate in the event, exhibit their products and services, and promote Lagos State’s tourism destinations and cultural assets to a wider international audience.
The engagement reaffirmed the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s commitment to inter-ministerial and intergovernmental collaboration in advancing tourism development, promoting the creative economy and strengthening Lagos State’s position as a leading destination for tourism, investment and international cultural exchange.
