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The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has reiterated its commitment to deepening collaboration with Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to unlock the vast tourism and cultural potential embedded within communities across the State.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, gave the assurance while receiving the Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture, Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Miss Iyabode Rafat Ojora, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, 22nd July 2026.
Welcoming the delegation, Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila commended the Ifelodun LCDA for its proactive approach to promoting tourism and cultural development, describing the initiative as a commendable step towards harnessing the economic and social benefits of the sector at the grassroots.
She noted that community-based tourism remains a critical pillar in the State’s drive to position Lagos as Africa’s leading tourism and creative economy destination, stressing that local governments play a strategic role in identifying, preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage and tourism assets within their respective communities.
According to the Permanent Secretary, tourism and culture are powerful catalysts for economic growth, job creation, youth empowerment and community development, adding that when local councils deliberately invest in their cultural identity and tourism resources, they create sustainable opportunities for wealth creation while strengthening social cohesion and preserving indigenous heritage.
Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with councils across the State through capacity-building initiatives, technical support, destination marketing, promotion of cultural festivals, preservation of heritage sites and the development of community-based tourism products that will enrich Lagos’ tourism offerings.
She further emphasised that the Ministry remains committed to implementing policies and programmes that encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration among stakeholders in line with the developmental vision of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration under the THEMES+ Agenda.
Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila reiterated that stronger collaboration with LGAs and LCDAs remains essential to achieving the Ministry’s vision of making Lagos the preferred tourism, arts and cultural destination in Africa, while ensuring that the economic benefits of the sector are felt at the grassroots.
Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture, Miss Iyabode Rafat Ojora, expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary for the warm reception and the Ministry’s continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting tourism and culture across the State.
She reaffirmed the commitment of Ifelodun LCDA to aligning its tourism and cultural programmes with the State Government’s vision by identifying, documenting and showcasing the area’s rich cultural heritage, while creating opportunities for local artisans, creatives and young people to thrive through the creative economy.
Miss Ojora also highlighted the Council’s plans to strengthen community participation in cultural activities, promote indigenous festivals and leverage tourism as a platform for youth engagement, entrepreneurship and local economic development.
