Lagos is strengthening its global cultural leadership through new international partnerships, following high-level talks between the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and officials of the French Embassy and Consulate in Ikoyi
At the meeting, held on Thursday, 21st August, 2025, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture team, was led by the Commissioner, had in attendance, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson; Head of Legal, Eunice Ibitola, and Deputy Director, Monuments Department, Folashade Jide-Oyesola. Also were the French representatives, Consul General of France in Lagos, Mr. Laurent Favier; Head of Cooperation at French Embassy, Mr. Thierry Valentin; Audio-visual Attache, Mr. Christophe Pecot, and Cultural Attache, Ms. Emmanuelle Harang.
Discussions during the meeting focused on two landmark French-supported initiatives set for October: a Fela Exhibition and a Cultural Conference expected to draw between 800 and 1,200 participants to Lagos
Both events, according to the Commissioner, will place Nigeria’s cultural heritage on the world stage while creating new platforms for creative exchange.
Apart from this, Benson-Awoyinka stated that the discussion equally explored investment opportunities in Lagos’ thriving creative economy, spanning film, fashion, music, animation, and documentary production, saying that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub, continues to attract global attention as a cultural and economic powerhouse.
“Lagos is Africa’s creative heartbeat, and partnerships like this ensure our heritage is preserved while our creative industries continue to flourish,” Benson-Awoyinka said.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding heritage under the Lagos State Preservation Law of 2011, which protects monuments and cultural assets.
She also announced plans for closer engagement with European Union cultural bodies to support capacity-building, policy development, and cultural conservation.
The Commissioner added that there will be a follow-up meeting with French cultural agencies to formalise collaboration and align with the Ministry’s priority needs.
While noting that the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has championed heritage conservation and creative growth over the years, the Commissioner disclosed that in the last year alone, Lagos funded over 140 cultural festivals and events with ₦8.4 billion, further cementing its position as Africa’s cultural capital.
