Culture

Lagos launches landmark tours to boost tourism

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2025

Lagos State launches landmark tours showcasing its rich cultural heritage and vibrant tourism sector to connect with the diaspora and global visitors.

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a monthly landmark tour programme aimed at promoting the city’s rich cultural heritage and enhancing its global tourism profile.

This initiative seeks to spotlight Lagos’s thriving transportation and tourism sectors, positioning the city as a top destination for both leisure and business.

Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, revealed the details during a recent event hosting Nigerians in the diaspora. The gathering featured a city tour under the theme “Lagos Tourism is Rising”.

“Through this initiative, we aim to promote our cultural heritage and strengthen ties with the diaspora community. It’s an opportunity to explore Lagos’s scenic views, cultural history, and vibrant atmosphere,” Aregbe remarked.

The tours will involve both land and water experiences, offering participants a chance to immerse themselves in Lagos’s diverse attractions.

The inaugural event took participants on a journey through key cultural and historical landmarks, including the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History and the renowned Nike Art Gallery.

Guests enjoyed the vibrant city through double-decker buses, motorbike convoys, and Lagos Ride vehicles, exploring iconic areas such as Ikoyi, Lekki, and Lagos Island.

The experience was enriched with live music, dancing, and interactive conversations, creating an atmosphere of celebration and cultural pride.

Prominent figures at the event included Khadijat Omotayo, Presidential Aide on Constituency Affairs; Oluwatoyin Atekoja, Permanent Secretary for Lagos Tourism; Nike Davies-Okundaye, a cultural icon; actor Femi Adebayo; and DJ DSF.

The government envisions the monthly tours as a platform to foster stronger cultural ties, particularly with the diaspora and international visitors who view Lagos as a hub for cultural and economic opportunities.

It also underscores Lagos’s ambition to solidify its reputation as a leading tourism destination in Africa.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”