The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), successfully hosted the EU Global Diaspora Facility (EUDiF) Capacity Development Lab (CDL) Nigeria and the validation of the Heritage Conservation Management Framework (HCMF) on Friday, 5th December and Saturday, 6th December, 2025.
The two-day programme featured a high-level Stakeholders’ Roundtable at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, and the Ikorodu Heritage Festival held at the Palace of the Oba of Ikorodu.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its rich cultural heritage and positioning heritage tourism as a key driver of sustainable socio-economic growth.
Benson-Awoyinka emphasised the significance of collaborative partnerships with federal institutions, international development bodies, consultants, and the diaspora community, noting that such alliances have been instrumental in advancing the heritage conservation project.
She appreciated all implementing partners and stakeholders for their resilience and dedication, and also paid special tribute to IGA Nigeria Limited, led by Mr. M.O. Ajala, whose technical expertise, deep community engagement, and steadfast commitment since the project’s inception have significantly shaped its structure and impact.
She also reaffirmed the passion of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for initiatives that promote tourism, arts, and culture, describing the project as both timely and strategic in the protection of indigenous heritage assets.
Highlighting the project’s governance and implementation strategy, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Ore Finnih underscored the importance of clearly defined partnerships for long-term success.
She announced the planned establishment of a Technical Committee that will oversee the day-to-day implementation of resolutions reached at the Roundtable, stressing the need for timely, measurable, and sustainable outcomes.
In his remarks, the representative of the Director-General, NCMM, and Director of Heritage Services, Mr. Abubakar Usman assured stakeholders of the Commission’s full technical support in documenting and preparing Ikorodu’s heritage assets for submission to UNESCO.
He pledged continuous professional collaboration throughout the enlistment process, beginning with inclusion on the UNESCO Tentative List.
The Chief Executive Officer of IGA Nigeria Limited, Mr. M.O. Ajala traced the origins of the project to 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when extensive community-based research revealed the depth of Ikorodu’s cultural heritage.
Ajala expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government, traditional rulers, and community custodians, noting that the people of Ikorodu remain the true beneficiaries and custodians of the project.
Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Head of the Brussels Mission and Head of Global Initiatives Programme, ICMPD, Mr. Oleg Chirita commended the African diaspora for their vital contributions to heritage preservation globally.
He reaffirmed the continued technical support of EUDiF and expressed optimism about attracting further assistance from the European Union, Germany, and UNESCO.
Also speaking, the Senior Project Manager, EU Global Diaspora Facility (ICMPD), Mrs. Diana Hincu expressed delight at visiting Nigeria for the first time and applauded the level of collaboration, innovation, and community ownership she observed.
She highlighted the immense economic value of heritage tourism, citing evidence that heritage tourists spend significantly more than conventional tourists, and stressed the importance of digital innovation, youth inclusion, and diaspora engagement.
