Lagos urges tourism stakeholders to safeguard environment, culture, arts
June 25, 2026 9:10 pm
File: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
The Lagos State Government has urged tourism stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect and promote the state’s environment, cultural heritage, arts and tourism assets.
This, it says, will attract more visitors and grow the economy.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, made the call at a news conference organised by the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators on Thursday in Lagos, ahead of its 10th Annual General Meeting.
Oyekan-Ismaila said tourism practitioners, cultural promoters and residents must work collectively to preserve the resources that make Lagos and Nigeria attractive destinations.
“We are actually all tourists, and we must protect our environment, protect our culture, protect our heritage, what we hold dear,” she said.
According to her, tourism thrives when communities value and showcase their unique cultural assets, traditions, food, arts and natural attractions.
“If we do not pay attention to them and promote them and let people know that we appreciate what we have, that is when people will also take us seriously,” she said.
She described Lagos as Nigeria’s tourism capital, noting that the state government had prioritised tourism and entertainment under the Sanwo-Olu-led administration’s development agenda.
The permanent secretary said Lagos remained a major hub for culture, entertainment, meetings, conferences, exhibitions, beach tourism, leisure, wellness and adventure tourism.
Oyekan-Ismaila commended NATOP for its role in promoting destinations across the country and showcasing Nigeria’s tourism offerings locally and internationally.
Earlier, NATOP President, Bolaji Mustapha, said the association chose Lagos as the host of its landmark 10th AGM after receiving strong support from the state government for tourism development initiatives.
Mustapha said that, although the AGM was initially planned for Enugu State, the association decided to return to Lagos in recognition of the state’s consistent partnership in destination promotion and industry development.
She recalled the state government’s support for World Tourism Day activities, community engagement projects at Takwa Bay, tourism capacity-building programmes and international tourism exhibitions.
“They have supported us enough. Let us come back to Lagos, at least before this term ends.
“Let us promote Nigeria again, at least through Lagos State. Let them be our major host for this year,” she said.
The NATOP president said the AGM, scheduled for July 8 to July 12, will be held under the theme, ‘Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable Destination Development’.
According to Mustapha, the conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to promote domestic tourism and strengthen industry partnerships.
“It will also advocate supportive policies and showcase Nigeria’s tourism potential as a driver of economic growth, investment and job creation,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlights of the AGM will include the inauguration of NATOP’s national secretariat.
Others are a cocktail reception, conference sessions, a Lagos city and waterways tour, a members’ business retreat, and a golf tournament, among others.
NAN
Adekunle, a fellow of Data and Solutions Journalism, has over four years experience with competences in data journalism and investigations.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]