Lagos Unveils Maiden Eko Arts and Crafts Competition for Students

Lagos Unveils Maiden Eko Arts and Crafts Competition for Students

Ikeja, Lagos – September 11, 2025

The Lagos State Government has announced the launch of the maiden edition of the Eko Arts and Crafts Competition, a creative platform designed for students of secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the state.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Alausa, on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde Marshal, Esq., said the initiative is in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration, particularly the pillar on Entertainment and Tourism.

According to her, the competition aims to discover, nurture, and showcase the artistic talents of young Lagosians while also promoting the state’s cultural heritage.

“We recognize that within our classrooms are young artists, sculptors, and creative thinkers whose gifts must not only be encouraged but also refined, celebrated, and projected to the world,” Marshal stated.

She noted that beyond aesthetics, art plays a vital role in storytelling, heritage preservation, and socio-cultural development. The competition, she added, would foster creativity, encourage entrepreneurship in the creative sector, and develop skills that can support sustainable economic growth and innovation in Lagos.

Marshal also announced the official opening of the competition’s registration portal, https://ekoschoolsartsandcrafts.com, urging eligible students to participate. She further appealed to school administrators, parents, and teachers to motivate their wards to take advantage of the opportunity, which comes with mentorship, exhibitions, and potential partnerships for winners.

The Governor’s aide commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and the promotion of arts and tourism, stressing that the initiative will further consolidate Lagos’ position as the creative heartbeat of Nigeria and Africa.

She called on members of the press to support the competition with wide publicity, assuring that the state government remains committed to advancing creativity and culture among its young population.