The Lagos State Government says it has empowered more than 1,000 creatives through the Skill Up Lagos Initiative as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s creative economy and support sustainable livelihoods for emerging artists and cultural entrepreneurs.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja.
Aregbe said the initiative, implemented through the Lagos Cultural Mission, provides a structured platform for upcoming artists, designers, performers and creative entrepreneurs to acquire skills, gain visibility and build sustainable careers.
According to him, the programme reflects the government’s commitment to people-centred governance and investment in the creative sector.
“This is governance with a human face, investing directly in the people who give Lagos its soul,” he said.
The Special Adviser explained that the Lagos Cultural Mission serves as the umbrella framework for cultural diplomacy, arts development and creative economy programmes aimed at positioning Lagos as Africa’s cultural capital.
He said the state’s “Cook Lagos, Eat Lagos” gastronomy initiative had continued to promote Lagos cuisine globally while creating economic opportunities for food vendors, chefs, agro-entrepreneurs and hospitality businesses.
Structured around the pillars of Cook Lagos, Eat Lagos and Grow Lagos, the initiative, according to him, promotes culinary education, food tourism and agricultural enterprise simultaneously.
Aregbe also highlighted the revival of the historic Kayo-Kayo Festival in Epe in July 2025, which attracted over 1,000 participants celebrating the community’s cultural heritage and unity.
He said the government partnered travel enthusiasts and tourism influencers to showcase Oja Chief, the historic fish market central to the festival, while also coordinating free fish deliveries to customers to support local women traders.
Speaking further, Aregbe said the Beauty in Motherland programme showcased Africa’s beauty industry on a global scale, attracting more than 500 vendors and beauty professionals for business-to-business engagements and industry networking.
He added that the office supported the three-day beauty festival and Guinness World Record attempt by beauty entrepreneur, Natacha Akide, who completed 82 makeovers in eight hours and 143 makeovers within 24 hours.
The Special Adviser also noted that the government backed the launch of Adekunle Gold’s Fuji album project, describing it as a cultural bridge between contemporary Afrobeats and traditional Fuji music.
He further disclosed that in March 2026, the ministry honoured 19 women for their contributions to Lagos’ arts and cultural sector through formal commendation letters recognising their impact on the creative industry.
According to Aregbe, the administration remains committed to using culture and commerce as complementary tools for economic growth through strategic public-private partnerships that empower traders, entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state.