The Lagos State Government has announced a steady increase in international tourist arrivals, recording 18,273 visitors in 2024, compared to 16,798 in 2023 and 14,357 in 2022.
The figures were disclosed during a Public Policy Engagement Session held in Ikeja and organized by the Policy Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation Department under the Cabinet Office. The session brought together key ministries, departments, and agencies in the entertainment and tourism sectors to assess the state’s progress toward achieving its tourism development targets.
Lagos Aims for $5.1 Billion in Tourism Revenue by 2040
The Lagos State Government reiterated its long-term goal of increasing tourism receipts to $5.1 billion by 2040, as contained in the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan (2020–2040).
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, represented by Kehinde Gbajumo, the Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, explained that the engagement was aimed at reviewing progress in the implementation of the state’s entertainment and tourism policies.
She said Lagos continues to focus on positioning itself as West Africa’s premier tourism and entertainment destination, leveraging the state’s creative industries, cultural heritage, and hospitality sector to attract more visitors each year.
Growth Linked to Strategic Policy and Destination Marketing
According to Oladele Oyatope, Head of the Policy Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, discussions at the session centered on the fifth pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, which emphasizes entertainment and tourism.
Oyatope noted that the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan and Policy Document remain critical tools for assessing performance in the sector. These frameworks set measurable goals for visitor numbers, revenue growth, and overall impact on the state economy.
He added that Lagos must intensify branding, advocacy, and destination marketing to boost international awareness and strengthen its tourism identity on the global stage.
“Our department’s role is to collect and analyse data across all tourism and creative sectors to evaluate how government initiatives are performing,” he said. “This helps ensure that policies are driving real impact, from cultural promotion to creative industry development.”
Economic Impact of Tourism in Lagos
The state’s rising tourist figures reflect the broader momentum within Nigeria’s tourism sector. According to the Lagos State Detty December 2024/2025 Report, the December 2024 festive period alone generated an estimated $71.6 million in tourism-related revenue.
Of this, hotels contributed about $44 million, while short-let apartments generated around $13 million. The report attributed the spending boom to the surge in visitors attending year-end cultural and entertainment events across the city.
Nigeria’s Wider Tourism Landscape
At the national level, Nigeria recorded over 1.2 million international visitors and three million domestic trips in 2023, a 20% increase from the previous year. The tourism sector contributed 3.65% (approximately $17.3 billion) to the nation’s GDP in 2022, supporting about 1.9 million jobs.
Experts credit the growth to improved domestic air travel, youth-driven tourism startups, and increasing digital engagement promoting local destinations.
As Lagos continues to drive its master plan, the government says it remains committed to turning the state into a vibrant, globally recognized tourism hub that combines entertainment, culture, and innovation to power sustainable economic growth.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
