Lagos Government Invests ₦8.4bn to Strengthen Creative Economy
The Lagos State Government has revealed that it invested ₦8.4 billion into the creative economy during the 2025 financial year, a move aimed at boosting the city’s entertainment, arts, and cultural sectors. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, announced this on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the African Music Business Summit held in Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to Benson-Awoyinka, the funding supported a wide range of activities, including music and film productions, concerts, training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and other creative industry projects. She said the state’s financial commitment underscores its vision of positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading hub for creativity and culture.
The Commissioner highlighted the dramatic growth in government backing for the creative sector, noting that funding has expanded from ₦3.8 billion before 2023 to about ₦18 billion, with projections nearing ₦40 billion as the industry’s economic importance grows.
Benson-Awoyinka also used the summit to unveil new initiatives, including the Lagos Talent Hunt—a programme designed to discover and support emerging artists across the state. She added that several government-owned theatres will be converted into professional studios and cinemas, providing young creatives with access to recording and production facilities at no cost.
The Commissioner reaffirmed Lagos State’s open-door policy for creative professionals, urging stakeholders to submit proposals, participate in industry policy discussions, and partner with the Ministry for future projects. She said the state has already supported more than 140 creative organisations and projects, hosting large public events that drew over 100,000 people and using cultural investment as a tool for youth empowerment and economic growth.
In closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, praised the Commissioner’s leadership and encouraged creatives to remain engaged through official state platforms to access funding opportunities and sector programmes.