Lagos Tourism Commissioner Moves to Restore Takwa Bay Beach Ahead of World Tourism Day

Lagos Tourism Commissioner Moves to Restore Takwa Bay Beach Ahead of World Tourism Day

As part of activities lined up for this year’s World Tourism Day, which holds on September 27, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has carried out an assessment visit to Takwa Bay Beach Resort with a view to restoring the facility and positioning it as a prime destination for local and international tourists.

The Commissioner, who was received by Mr. Tolulope Bradley, the Beach Master of Takwa Bay, alongside other stakeholders, said the state government is determined to bring back the beach’s lost glory and integrate it into the broader strategy of developing Lagos’ coastal and creekline tourism.

Speaking during the tour, Benson-Awoyinka described Takwa Bay as a hidden gem that has remained underutilized despite its natural beauty and serene environment.

“We have the same thing on the route of the Lagos Creek and the Badagry Creek, but we are not taking full advantage of it. My assessment here today is that the gem is truly real. As Nigerians generally and as Lagosians individually, we have not taken full advantage of what we have. Takwa Bay is safe, it is clean, and it is serene,” she said.

The Commissioner disclosed that her ministry will work closely with the locals, tourism practitioners, and relevant government agencies to introduce sustainable initiatives and attract private sector investment into the facility. According to her, efforts will be made to improve access to the beach through safer and more modern transportation options, including ferries from LagFerry, in place of the makeshift banana boats currently in use.

She further highlighted plans to engage lifeguards, tour guides, and tourism operators to enrich visitor experience, while stressing that the state government’s role is to create the enabling environment, leaving tour operators to market and sell the destination to the world.

On security, Benson-Awoyinka assured tourists of safety, noting the presence of the Nigerian Navy, Army, and other agencies in the area.

“You can be here 24/7 without any problem. What we are looking at is infrastructural improvement—power, access, and facilities—that will make the experience seamless. Governor Sanwo-Olu recently energized parts of the Ibeche axis, and we are considering similar interventions here at Takwa Bay,” she explained.

She, however, pointed out that a major obstacle to the development of the beach has been the lack of clarity on land ownership and regularization of leases, which has discouraged investors.

“Most of the questions I asked today show that many stakeholders don’t even know which agency to approach for approvals or regularization. Nobody is going to invest in a place where ownership is fluid. That is why government is stepping in immediately to engage federal agencies and resolve this,” the Commissioner added.

Reminiscing on her childhood visits to Takwa Bay during Easter holidays, Benson-Awoyinka noted that the beach has become run-down compared to its former state but expressed optimism that with government involvement and partnerships, its glory can be restored.

She also revealed that the state is expecting an influx of tourists next month, particularly with the E1 all-electric powerboat racing championship (E1 Lagos GP) coming up, stressing that such international events highlight the urgent need for Lagos to develop its beachfronts into globally competitive tourism products.

The Commissioner concluded by reaffirming Lagos State’s commitment to upgrading all major tourism assets, including the Badagry “Point of No Return”, as part of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s vision of making Lagos the tourism hub of West Africa.