Lagos Positions Itself as Africa’s Cultural Hub with December Tourism Expo

Lagos is preparing to showcase itself not only as Nigeria’s commercial centre but also as a cultural capital on the continent, with a major tourism and heritage exhibition slated for December.

The three-day event, organised by Migbaci Expo, is expected to attract more than 15,000 in-person participants and hundreds of thousands more online.

Organisers say the gathering will spotlight Nigeria’s overlooked tourism sector while pushing Lagos into the conversation as a global destination for culture, arts, and investment.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Migbaci Expo, Akinwale Alabi, Lagos offers the perfect stage for a renaissance in tourism. “Tourism is the way to go. That is the core reason we are hosting this event, to open eyes to what Nigeria has and what we’re failing to harness,” he said.

Delegates from across Nigeria and abroad will converge to promote collaborations, showcase states’ unique cultural identities, and encourage interstate partnerships.

The programme will feature training sessions, investment drives, and interactive showcases, alongside incentives such as free tourism trips for attendees.

Foreign participation is also on the agenda, with the Irish Commissioner and delegates from Europe set to attend. Migbaci Expo has partnered with Dublin’s Idea Hub to bring in fresh perspectives and extend the event’s international reach.

Beyond exhibitions, the event seeks to rebrand Lagos as a gateway for global cultural exchange. Alabi stressed that Nigeria is “sitting on a gold mine” of heritage assets. “There is a full year-round calendar of tourism events in Nigeria that neither the government nor the private sector is leveraging,” he noted.

Tourism consultant Ayo Olesin added that other countries have turned simple cultural practices into global attractions, while Nigeria underutilises its traditions.

“In Germany, sipping beer is a tourist attraction. In Cape Town, their wines are elevated and globally respected. Meanwhile, we have palm wine and unique traditions here that we don’t promote,” he said.

As Lagos positions itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s tourism revival, stakeholders see the December exhibition as more than a one-off event.

For them, it is an opportunity to redefine Lagos as a cultural hub that not only drives economic returns but also strengthens Nigeria’s soft power on the global stage.

Punch