The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said the revival of the Eyo Festival and the 2026 Fanti Carnival were its biggest cultural tourism wins last year.
The state government said the two heritage events significantly boosted tourism traffic, strengthened cultural identity, and reinforced Lagos’ status as Africa’s leading destination for arts, entertainment, and tourism.
The Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this during the 2026 ministerial press briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
The return of Eyo Festival
Mrs Benson-Awoyinka said the return of the iconic Eyo Festival after a decade-long break marked a major milestone in the state government’s efforts to preserve indigenous culture and promote heritage tourism.
She explained that the 73rd Adamu Orisha play held on 27 December 2025 honoured four distinguished Lagosians, including the late Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson and former Governor Lateef Jakande.
She noted that the colourful procession of Eyo masquerades drew thousands of residents, tourists, and culture enthusiasts from within and outside Nigeria, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Lagos to the global community while stimulating economic activities across Lagos Island and adjoining communities.
Fanti Carnival attracts over 40,000 tourists
According to her, the 2026 Lagos Fanti Carnival also recorded remarkable success, attracting over 40,000 residents, tourists, and international visitors to Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.
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The carnival, she said, celebrated the rich Afro-Brazilian heritage of Lagos through vibrant musical performances, samba-inspired dances, theatrical displays, and colourful community processions.
She described the carnival as a major cultural tourism platform that reconnects Lagos with its historical roots while creating economic opportunities in the hospitality, entertainment, fashion, and creative sectors.
She noted that the event transformed Lagos Island into a vibrant hub of cultural exchange and historical storytelling, drawing widespread local and international attention.
Mrs Benson-Awoyinka stressed that both events remain strategic initiatives of the Lagos State Government aimed at promoting diaspora tourism, preserving cultural heritage, and positioning Lagos as a globally competitive tourism destination.
She reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to leveraging culture and tourism as strategic drivers of economic growth, job creation, social inclusion, and international visibility for the state.
