Culture

Lagos Proposes Return Voyage to Boost Cultural Tourism

Published

9 months ago

November 26, 2025

Lagos State proposes a return voyage and waterfront housing scheme to enhance cultural tourism and connect diaspora communities to their heritage

The Chairman of the Lagos State House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, has called for the creation of a housing scheme and a return voyage experience to strengthen cultural tourism in the state.

Also read: Lagos Street Art Festival Sparks Positive Creative Shift

Bonu made the remarks during a Meet and Greet with media representatives, organised by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) on Monday in Lagos.

The meeting focused on fostering collaboration to promote the economic potential of the tourism sector and supportive policies.

Speaking on engaging the diaspora, Bonu highlighted feedback from the Badagry-Diaspora Festival, noting that many overseas communities expressed interest in returning to Nigeria for a more immersive experience.

Rather than air travel, African-descendant visitors preferred a return voyage by sea along the West African coastline, stopping at historic slave points before arriving in Badagry for the annual festival.

“Some visitors have traced their genetic history back to Nigeria, and they want to experience their heritage firsthand during the 2026 festival,” Bonu explained.

“They want to start the journey from one historic site to another along the coast, finally arriving in Badagry, where they will spend about seven days. Stops will include Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Ghana before ending the voyage in Badagry.”

The lawmaker also proposed allocating a waterfront estate in Badagry exclusively for diasporan communities.

“They can use it whenever they visit; it can serve as service apartments,” Bonu said, adding that the project would not only enhance cultural tourism but also serve as a symbolic gateway for returning visitors.

Also read: Lagos International Theatre Festival Delivers Vibrant Opening

Bonu expressed optimism that the return voyage initiative, coupled with dedicated housing, would deepen diaspora engagement, boost tourism revenue, and strengthen Nigeria’s cultural heritage promotion.

Up Next

Emotional Push for Repatriation of Alaafin Crowns

Don't Miss

Alaafin of Oyo Urges Unity to Revive Yoruba Cultural Heritage

Click to comment

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week 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.”