Strenghtening Lagos Tourism Economy with Strategic Alliance

Raheem Akingbolu

Lagos is quietly redefining itself. Once seen purely as Nigeria’s commercial capital, the state is fast transforming into a global lifestyle and leisure hub driven by purposeful collaboration between government and private enterprise.

At the centre of this shift are Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Idris Aregbe, whose coordinated efforts are not only attracting tourists but also restoring confidence among Nigerians in the diaspora eager to invest back home.

Their approach in combining infrastructure renewal, faster regulatory approvals, targeted incentives and visible government support has created a more open and responsive business climate. A strong example of this progress is Giwa Gardens, an ambitious water park developed by diaspora entrepreneur Keji Giwa, which has become a symbol of what is possible when private vision meets public partnership.

Since its opening in December 2023, Giwa Gardens has drawn thousands of visitors, injecting colour, commerce and confidence into the Sangotedo axis. The 12,100 sqm facility, one of the largest of its kind in West Africa, has created jobs, boosted ancillary trade and established Sangotedo as a growing tourism and entertainment corridor. It demonstrates Lagos’ capacity to turn diaspora ambition into tangible economic impact.

The Lagos State Government has supported projects like Giwa Gardens through fast-tracked approvals, open engagement with agencies, and targeted investment promotion. Hon. Idris Aregbe, as the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, has worked closely with operators, connecting them with partners, financiers and other stakeholders while advocating for infrastructure prioritisation in key tourism clusters like Lekki, Oniru and Sangotedo.

This partnership-driven model has strengthened investor confidence and improved ease of doing business. While challenges such as financing, utilities and long-term maintenance remain realities across the sector, Lagos continues to show that consistent dialogue and structured policy can bridge those gaps. From the Blue Line Rail and Lekki Deep Sea Port to the creative corridors of Oniru, Lagos is moving forward, deliberately and visibly.
As a proudly home-grown success story, Giwa Gardens continues to invest, hire and innovate, while trusting that the government will sustain its focus on enabling infrastructure, particularly power, drainage and road access, to unlock even greater economic potential. Although Sangotedo’s access roads still require improvement, the Lagos State Government has indicated plans to address the issue. The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area have conducted assessments, and while timelines have not been confirmed, road, drainage and lighting upgrades are expected in subsequent phases of the Lekki-Epe corridor renewal. Giwa Gardens remains optimistic that these upgrades will be prioritised.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has combined visible infrastructure renewal with governance reforms that make land-use approvals more transparent and investor engagement more predictable. For diaspora investors once deterred by bureaucratic bottlenecks, this new responsiveness has transformed Lagos’ image from a difficult market to a destination of opportunity.

Sustaining this progress will depend on continued transparency, creative financing and sustained investment in core infrastructure such as power, water and roads. Equally important is Lagos’ commitment to promoting success stories that inspire investor confidence while ensuring environmental sustainability and community inclusion.

Across ministries, the Lagos State Government has demonstrated a willingness to listen, collaborate and support, even in challenging times. Public officers like Hon. Idris Aregbe embody this renewed governance culture through accessibility, humility and results-orientated leadership.

Giwa Gardens stands as living proof , a diaspora dream realised through partnership, perseverance and shared vision. As Lagos evolves, its greatest strength lies in collaboration: the collective will of its government, private investors and people to build Africa’s next truly global city.