FIC Report (Lagos State) – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has said Nigeria’s tourism sector must transition from untapped potential to investment-driven growth through modern infrastructure, policy consistency and strong public-private partnerships.
The Governor stated this in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, at the 2026 BusinessDay Tourism Conference 3.0 held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Nigeria’s Tourism: From Resilience to Investment-Ready Growth,” Sanwo-Olu said tourism can only deliver sustainable economic benefits when supported by deliberate investments that attract capital, create jobs and develop competitive destinations.
He noted that Lagos has adopted a holistic approach to tourism development by investing in transportation, security, urban renewal, digital connectivity and other critical infrastructure that enhance visitor experience and improve the business environment.
“Tourism flourishes where infrastructure works. It thrives where people feel safe. It grows where cities are clean, connected and welcoming. That is the Lagos we continue to build,” he said.
The Governor added that Lagos has emerged as Africa’s leading hub for business tourism, entertainment, culture, fashion and innovation, driven by the global success of Nollywood, Afrobeats and the annual Detty December festivities.
He stressed that under the THEMES+ Development Agenda, the State remains committed to developing a tourism ecosystem that promotes entrepreneurship, empowers young people, preserves cultural heritage and attracts sustainable investment, while calling for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to unlock Nigeria’s tourism potential.
Earlier, the Publisher of BusinessDay Media, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, described tourism as one of Nigeria’s most underutilised economic opportunities, urging stakeholders to prioritise investment, innovation and effective destination branding to accelerate economic diversification, job creation and foreign exchange earnings.
The conference featured panel discussions, exhibitions and networking sessions focused on unlocking investment opportunities across Nigeria’s tourism value chain.
Sourced by,
Olaofe Oluwakemi T.
I&PRO1.
31/7/2026
