Lagos Tourism Ministry Hosts CANEX 2026 Delegation, Aims for Enhanced Collaboration
On October 26, 2026, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture welcomed a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to discuss preparations for the upcoming Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Weekend 2026.
The meeting, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja, aimed to bolster cooperation between the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government for the successful hosting of this significant international creative economy event.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, commended the delegation for their planning efforts and underscored the necessity of collaboration among stakeholders to promote the state’s vibrant tourism, arts, culture, and entertainment sectors.
Key factors for a successful event were discussed, including logistics, accessibility, security, and the overall visitor experience.
Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka emphasized the importance of showcasing Lagos’s diverse tourism destinations and cultural heritage to maximize investment and international exposure.
Leading the delegation, Special Adviser to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Efe Berber, provided an update on CANEX Weekend 2026, which is scheduled to take place from November 5 to 8 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
Mrs. Berber noted that the event is expected to attract a myriad of local and international delegates, investors, and creative industry practitioners, highlighting Africa’s creative economy and investment opportunities.
The delegation sought the Lagos State Government’s support in mobilizing stakeholders from the tourism, entertainment, fashion, and creative sectors to participate actively, exhibit their products, and promote Lagos’s cultural assets to a broader audience.
The meeting reaffirmed the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s commitment to fostering inter-ministerial and intergovernmental collaboration to advance tourism development and enhance Lagos’s status as a prime destination for investment and cultural exchange.
Senior officials from both ministries were also present, emphasizing a unified approach to the upcoming event and the future of Lagos’s creative landscape.
The collaboration aims to not only showcase local talent but also to solidify Lagos’s position as a center for international cultural engagement.
