Former Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has stated that Lagos possesses the cultural and creative resources needed to compete with some of the world’s leading tourism destinations if its heritage institutions and creative industries are properly developed and promoted.
Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Eko Tourism Foundation, made the remarks during a visit by the foundation to the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art at Pan-Atlantic University.
According to a statement released by his media office, the former minister said Lagos already has strong cultural assets capable of attracting international visitors and investments.
“This visit is not a courtesy call. It is a statement of intent. The Eko Tourism Foundation is declaring, in the clearest possible terms, that culture is the soul of tourism. No destination can successfully market itself to the world without first understanding, preserving and celebrating what makes it unique,” he said.
Mohammed described the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art as “a sanctuary of memory, identity and civilisation,” stressing that museums and cultural institutions remain vital to tourism development and heritage preservation.
He further noted that Lagos holds significant advantages in music, film, fashion, food, architecture, and visual arts, which can be transformed into a stronger tourism-driven economy.
“Our mission is bold and unapologetic: we exist to bring the world to Lagos.
“Not just for our beaches or business districts, not just for the energy and spectacle of Detty December, but for our history, our heritage sites, our food, our music, our film industry, our arts, our fashion and our architecture,” he added.
Drawing comparisons with global cities such as Paris, New York City, and Cairo, Mohammed noted that internationally recognised museums and cultural institutions continue to play major roles in driving tourism across the world.
He also stated that the Yemisi Shyllon Museum has increasingly attracted international visitors interested in Nigerian art and culture.
“The mission of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum aligns naturally with ours.
“Together, institutions like this can help place Lagos firmly on the global cultural tourism map and redefine how the world experiences Nigeria,” he said.
Mohammed called for stronger partnerships among museums, universities, galleries, and tourism stakeholders to improve and expand cultural tourism offerings in Lagos.
Also speaking during the visit, Adedotun Sulaiman, Chairman of the museum’s advisory council, expressed readiness to collaborate with the Eko Tourism Foundation in advancing its tourism development goals.
Other notable personalities present at the meeting included Yemisi Shyllon, Enase Okonedo, and Jess Castellote, alongside members of the foundation.
Lagos has continued to position its creative economy as a key driver of tourism growth, with government officials and industry stakeholders highlighting the state’s film, music, fashion, and visual arts sectors as important components of broader economic diversification efforts.
Elijah Adeyemi
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