Lagos Fashion Week: Sanwo-Olu Reaffirms Support for Creative Economy
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the creative economy, describing fashion as a key driver of tourism, job creation and economic growth.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Lagos Fashion Week, held on Saturday, October 31, at Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was attended by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, alongside fashion designers, models, buyers, celebrities and other industry stakeholders.
The governor commended the organisers for sustaining Lagos Fashion Week as a leading platform for showcasing African fashion, noting that the event has continued to enhance Lagos State’s reputation as a major fashion destination on the continent.
He said the annual fashion showcase had contributed to promoting tourism, creating opportunities for young creatives and projecting the state’s rich cultural heritage to international audiences.
According to him, the state government would continue to support the creative industry through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as part of efforts to implement its T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised that fashion remains an important component of Lagos’ tourism and economic development strategy, adding that sustained investment in the sector would help unlock opportunities for young people and other players in the creative ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Benson-Awoyinka described Lagos Fashion Week as more than a runway showcase, highlighting its role in empowering designers, promoting sustainable fashion practices and connecting local talents to the global market.
She reiterated the ministry’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the fashion industry to thrive, noting that fashion tourism remains central to the state’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global destination for entertainment, creativity and lifestyle.
The commissioner added that platforms such as Lagos Fashion Week provide opportunities for local designers to showcase their creativity, expand their businesses and attract international recognition.
The week-long event featured runway shows, fashion presentations, retail exhibitions and masterclasses, attracting established and emerging designers from across Africa and other parts of the world.
The closing ceremony brought together government officials, business leaders, fashion industry professionals and members of the diplomatic community, underscoring the event’s growing importance to Lagos’ creative and tourism sectors.
The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture said the state government would sustain its support for initiatives that promote creativity, preserve cultural heritage and expand the economic contributions of the creative industry.
