Sanwo-Olu’s entertainment investments are powering Lagos tourism and hospitality, argues ADEBOWALE MARTINS
Lagos has always been Nigeria’s cultural heartbeat, a city where sound, style and spectacle coalesced in restless creativity. But under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that cultural energy has been deliberately elevated from raw potential to structured economic power. Today, entertainment in Lagos is no longer just about spotlights; it is a strategic driver of tourism, hospitality and allied sectors. The successful hosting of the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in January offered a vivid, continent-wide demonstration of how culture, when backed by policy and political will, can translate into growth, jobs and global relevance.
For five days, from January 7 to 11, Lagos became Africa’s musical capital. Artistes, delegates and stakeholders from over 48 African countries converged on the city, filling hotels, conference halls, entertainment venues and transport corridors. The event was a celebration of African music, and live economic ecosystem in motion, energising airlines, travel agencies, hospitality businesses, security services, event managers, media organisations and thousands of informal workers who form the backbone of Lagos’ service economy.