Lagos Empowers Over 1,000 Creatives Through Skill Up Initiative

Lagos Empowers Over 1,000 Creatives Through Skill Up Initiative
Kayo-Kayo Festival Attracts Over 1,000 Participants In Epe
Says Lagos Positions Itself As Africa’s Cultural Capital

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that more than 1,000 creatives have been empowered through the Skill Up Lagos Initiative as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s creative economy and promote sustainable livelihoods for emerging talents.

Contents

EDITOR’S PICK
FURTHER READING

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, made this known during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Lagos.

EDITOR’S PICK

According to Aregbe, the programme was implemented through the Lagos Cultural Mission over the past 24 months to provide upcoming artistes, designers, performers and cultural entrepreneurs with opportunities to acquire skills, gain exposure and build sustainable careers.

He stated that the initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to investing in the creative sector as a catalyst for economic growth and youth empowerment.

“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 major gastronomy project aimed at positioning Lagos as a global tourism destination through indigenous cuisine.

Sanwo-Olu Backs Press Freedom, Accountability — Sanwo-Olu

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

The special adviser further noted that the Lagos Cultural Mission serves as the umbrella platform for driving cultural diplomacy, arts development and creative economy programmes in the state.

“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 stated.

Aregbe also disclosed that the Kayo-Kayo Festival in Epe returned in July 2025 with expanded cultural activities, attracting over 1,000 participants.

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

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

He added that free fish deliveries were coordinated during the festival to support women traders and improve their earnings.

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