Lagos Reinforces Culture As Core Of Tourism Strategy At Eko Africa Legacy Summit
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, urged renewed commitment to preserving culture and heritage as the foundation of the state’s tourism identity during a panel titled “Culture as Foundation for Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism” at the Eko Africa Legacy Summit on Friday, 15 May 2026.
The summit — themed “Let’s Reimagine the Future of Culture in African Hospitality, Tourism and Travel” and organised to mark 50 years of Eko Hotels and Suites — convened industry stakeholders from tourism, hospitality, culture, and the creative sectors to chart a future vision for African tourism.
Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka highlighted Lagos’s rich cultural assets, from Badagry’s historic sites to the state’s vibrant contemporary arts, music, fashion, and creative industries, saying: “It is important to maintain the heritage and culture of Lagos State. Without the protection of our cultural heritage, we are lost.”
She added that Lagos is intensifying investments in infrastructure and hospitality, including plans to spur hotel development along Badagry’s coastline, to grow heritage tourism.
Referencing a recent working visit to Cotonou and Ouidah in the Republic of Benin, the Commissioner noted that Lagos is learning from regional best practices in heritage tourism and cultural preservation while continuing to expand investments across tourism, entertainment, arts, and culture.
She reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to policies and partnerships that protect cultural assets, promote heritage tourism, and generate sustainable local economic opportunities, and thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support.
The panel featured tourism and hospitality experts, cultural practitioners, and investors—including Chike Ogeah (Voo Folly Hospitality), Ikechi Uko (travel consultant), Danny Kioupourogiou (General Manager, Eko Hotels and Suites), Omotere Omoluabi-Davies (AfDB), and moderator Ayodele Adio—who discussed strategies to position culture as a key driver of sustainable tourism across Lagos and the continent.