The Lagos State Government has said it 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.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Lagos.

Aregbe said the empowerment programme, implemented through the Lagos Cultural Mission over the past 24 months, was designed to provide a structured platform for upcoming artistes, designers, performers and cultural entrepreneurs to acquire skills, gain visibility and build sustainable careers.

According to him, the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to investing in the creative sector as a driver of economic growth.

“This is governance with a human face, investing directly in the people who give Lagos its soul,” he said.

Aregbe also highlighted the impact of the Cook Lagos, Eat Lagos initiative, which he described as a landmark gastronomy project aimed at positioning Lagos on the global tourism map through its local cuisine.

He explained that the initiative, structured around the pillars of Cook Lagos, Eat Lagos and Grow Lagos, promotes culinary education, food tourism and agricultural enterprise while creating economic opportunities for food vendors, chefs, agro-entrepreneurs and hospitality businesses.

“The Lagos Cultural Mission is the overarching framework through which the Office of the Special Adviser drives cultural diplomacy, arts development and creative economy programming.

“From international partnerships to domestic cultural celebrations, from art tours to diplomatic engagements, every programme feeds into the singular mission of establishing Lagos as Africa’s cultural capital,” he said.

The special adviser further said the Kayo-Kayo Festival in Epe returned in July 2025 with renewed cultural activities, attracting more than 1,000 participants.

He described the festival as one of Lagos’ enduring cultural expressions that celebrates communal unity, religious identity and ancestral heritage.

According to him, the government partnered with travel enthusiasts and tourism influencers to promote Oja Chief, the historic fish market central to the festival.

He added that the office also coordinated free fish deliveries to customers during the festival to support women traders and boost their earnings.

“This demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to inclusive tourism that uplifts livelihoods,” Aregbe said.