The Lagos Street Art Festival will boost tourism and creativity as Lagos partners with Inscribe Art to celebrate public murals and community expression
The Lagos creative landscape is set to experience a fresh wave of energy as the Lagos Street Art Festival prepares to debut in November 2025 through a partnership between the Lagos State Government and Inscribe Art.
Announced at a press conference in Ndubuisi Kanu Park, the initiative seeks to transform public spaces with bold murals while deepening tourism and civic pride across the city.
Organisers described the festival, themed Legendary Lagos: City of Dreams, as a movement created for artists and residents alike.
They noted that global cities such as Berlin, Miami and Sao Paulo have long harnessed the power of street art to attract visitors and grow their creative economies, a model Lagos now hopes to adapt.
Karishma Daryani-Chugani of the LSAF founding council said the event would also involve international artists working alongside local talents to build capacity and create meaningful cultural exchange.
The General Manager of LASPARK, Adetoun Popoola, explained that murals already incorporated within public parks would integrate seamlessly into the festival’s design, ensuring that public art remains accessible to every Lagosian.
She emphasised that the project was conceived to promote both culture and tourism in Lagos State.
Running from 25 November to 10 December 2025, the festival will feature story walls, public art sessions, workshops, the OSA 7 x 10 exhibition, fireside conversations and artist-led talks.
These events aim to connect communities through creativity, storytelling and shared urban experiences.
The festival is co-led by renowned visual artist Osa Okunkpolor, popularly known as Osa Seven, and creative director Akinlabi Akinbulumo, also known as Phisha. Akinbulumo stressed that art should reach beyond gallery walls into streets, schools and everyday environments, reflecting the identity of Lagosians.
Okunkpolor added that the initiative represented empowerment, giving artists who may not have gallery access the chance to showcase their work.
Another founding council member, Adaora Mbelu, reinforced that the festival was designed to democratise art by placing it directly in the public domain. She said creativity should be accessible to all, regardless of background or status.
Berger Paints, represented by marketing partner Oluwatomi Ikenye, expressed pride in supporting the cultural push, noting that art drives education, mental wellbeing and community identity.
He said the company viewed its involvement as a natural extension of its role in Nigeria’s architectural and cultural transformation.
The Managing Director of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Fatiu Akiolu, concluded that the agency’s role would be to regulate and enhance Lagos’ visual environment as the festival unfolds across the city.
Culture4 years ago
