Lagos Deepens Inter-Agency Collaboration to Unlock Tourism Potential and Enhance Visitor Safety

Lagos Deepens Inter-Agency Collaboration to Unlock Tourism Potential and Enhance Visitor Safety

In a comprehensive engagement with tourism operators, entertainers, transport officials and safety regulators, the Lagos State Government announced a coordinated blueprint to ensure residents and visitors enjoy a safe and seamless festive season. The high-level forum, hosted by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, set the tone for a multi-agency strategy linking infrastructure, safety, mobility, water transport, and entertainment.

Tourism Commissioner: Lagos Must Maintain a Global Standard of Experience

Commissioner Benson-Awoyinka emphasised that Lagos’ tourism economy is no longer defined only by major concerts, nightlife, or cultural spectacles. She said tourism in the state now sits on a framework of accessibility, safety, inter-agency coordination and sustainable infrastructure, noting that the goal is to present Lagos as a premium year-round destination, not a seasonal hotspot.

She highlighted the state’s ongoing upgrades across beaches, cultural zones, and attraction corridors, while also announcing intensified support for tourism businesses to operate within international standards. The Commissioner assured local and international guests that Lagos will deploy an expanded network of destination services, advocacy, and community partnerships throughout the holiday period.

Safety Commission: Entertainment Must Operate Under Professional Standards

Speaking after the Tourism Commissioner, the representative of the Lagos State Safety Commission reiterated that hospitality venues, lounges, malls, event arenas, festival grounds, and concert organisers must comply with established protocols.
The Commission restated the mandatory registration of hospitality outlets on the state portal and the full enforcement of operational safety audits.

Under the 4Es framework—Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Evaluation—the Commission will conduct pre-event inspections, risk assessments, and crowd-control reviews. Event promoters were reminded that safety requirements are not suggestions, especially at large gatherings exceeding 200 or 1,000 guests.
Venues must provide:

• Trained and clearly identifiable marshals
• Medical services and first-aid points
• Certified fire-fighting equipment
• Accessible evacuation routes and signage systems

The Commission also warned against the circulation of narcotics and weapons, stressing consequences for any facility that violates safety laws.

LASWA DG: Waterways Now Critical to Tourism Mobility

Taking the discussion further, the Director-General of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) explained that water transport is central to the state’s tourism ecosystem.
With 15 out of 20 LGAs accessible by waterways, Lagos’ scenic leisure clusters—Ilashe, Epe, Badagry, Eti-Osa, Tarkwa Bay, Apapa—are better served through marine routes than congested road corridors.

LASWA revealed previous pain points with unsafe private operators have been significantly reduced due to stricter enforcement, jetty upgrades, and new safety regimes. The agency committed to a more heavily policed and professionally regulated waterfront environment during the festivities.

Commissioner for Waterfront: New Development Vision for Lagos’ Shorelines

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, emphasised that tourism is inseparable from physical infrastructure.
He said Lagos is actively pursuing waterfront developments inspired by global coastal cities—London, Dubai, Cape Town—where well-planned districts transform city identity and economic outcomes.

Bush-Alebiosu disclosed that the State is preparing a generational blueprint for themed tourism islands, improved jetty networks, and structured shoreline communities that blend real estate, leisure experiences and marine mobility.

LAGFERRY: Marine Transit as a Leisure Asset

Adding to this vision, Managed Director of LAGFERRY, Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi, described the fleet as an engine of cultural tourism.
Beyond commuter routes, LAGFERRY’s vessels will sail leisure circuits, linking visitors to coastal attractions, island resorts, dining experiences and eco-tourism trails.
With expanded scheduling and safer vessels ranging from 20–60 passengers, the agency is positioning marine travel as both a practical necessity and a lifestyle experience.

Transportation Commissioner & LASTMA: Movement Must Not Disrupt Enjoyment

During the panel session, the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Seun Osiyemi, and the General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, echoed a unified principle:
Tourism cannot thrive if mobility fails.

They revealed a festive traffic management plan combining traffic intelligence, corridor prioritization, and proactive deployment. Strategic choke points—especially around entertainment hotspots, waterfront routes, malls and recreational arcades—will see intensified monitoring.

Bakare-Oki noted that residents and tourists must plan their outings, emphasizing “movement windows,” shuttle options, parking guidance, ride-sharing, and responsible driving. The duo warned that LASTMA will clamp down on reckless, drunk and obstructive driving.

Entertainers: Culture Needs a Safety Ecosystem

Entertainers featured in the panel underscored why planning is central to Lagos’ holiday season. Concert planners, venue managers, comedians, DJs and nightlife promoters argued that tourism is not just about spectacle—it is about audience trust.

They appealed for:

• Predictable venue regulations
• Vendor management discipline
• Collaborative ticketing & security controls
• Partnership between private operators and the State

Their message was clear: a show is not successful if people feel unsafe getting there, staying there, or going home.

Lagos’ Festive Outlook: Mega City, Managed City

The consensus across agencies is that Lagos must show the world that it can deliver excitement without chaos, crowds without insecurity, and celebration without casualties.
With tourism at the center of its economic narrative, the State is presenting not just fun, but a carefully engineered urban experience.