The Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, has met with members of the Lagos State Local Government Tourism Officers (LALOTO) across the State’s 57 Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots-driven tourism development.
The meeting, held on Monday at the Ministry in Alausa, Ikeja, focused on reinforcing collaboration between the State Ministry and tourism officers at the local level to unlock community-based tourism opportunities.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila emphasised the importance of developing innovative, community-driven tourism initiatives that can be jointly packaged and promoted with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
She encouraged Tourism Officers in the Local Governments and LCDAs to actively identify, properly document, and make concerted efforts to promote tourism and heritage sites within their jurisdictions.
According to her, structured documentation, improved accessibility, and enhanced visibility are critical to transforming local attractions into viable tourism products capable of competing at the global level.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the ongoing review and compilation of an updated and comprehensive Lagos State Tourism Calendar. She charged Local Government Tourism Officers to expedite the submission of collated tourism potentials and proposed events within their respective LGAs and LCDAs.
Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila explained that the Ministry’s objective is to recalibrate the tourism calendar to ensure that every month of the year features vibrant, well-curated tourism and cultural activities across the State.
Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila reiterated that engagement with LALOTO would be a continuous and inclusive process involving all relevant stakeholders to ensure seamless planning and effective execution of tourism initiatives across the state.
She stressed that tourism has the capacity to empower communities when local stakeholders are fully engaged from the grassroots.
Speaking on behalf of LALOTO, the President of LALOTO
and Head of the Tourism Unit, Epe Local Government Area, Dr. Nurudeen Damilare Shoye expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary for convening the strategic meeting and reaffirmed the commitment of Local Government Tourism Officers to supporting the Ministry’s vision.
He outlined several tourism and cultural events proposed for packaging and promotion in 2026, including the Lagos Unity Cultural Carnival, Lagos Youth Music and Arts Festival, Lagos Food and Heritage Fair, Lagos Community Clean-Up and Green Day, Sports Festival, Lagos Women’s Empowerment Day, Lagos Education and Reading Festival, and the Lagos Inter-Local Government Trade Fair, among others.
Dr. Shoye also called for the re-enactment of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) at the local level and proposed the organisation of a broad-based stakeholders’ summit involving traditional rulers, local government chairmen, council managers, and tourism officers.
He further highlighted key global and local tourism celebration days, including World Theatre Day, World Heritage Day, World Cultural Diversity Day, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day, Lagos Yoruba Culture Week, World Tourism Day, Independence Day, and activities under the Greater Lagos initiative.
During the meeting, several LALOTO members shared insights on untapped tourism assets within their communities. Notably, the identification of Kampala Market in Itire-Ikate, highlighted by the Council’s Head of Tourism Unit, Mrs. Disu Olajumoke, was cited as an example of a hidden tourism gem with strong potential for development and economic stimulation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Lagos State Local Government Tourism Officers to sustained collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, with the overarching goal of positioning Lagos as a premier year-round destination for culture, arts, and tourism in Nigeria and across Africa.