Lagos State Government has revealed that a total of 18,273 international tourists visited the state in 2024, marking a steady rise in foreign arrivals compared to previous years.
The figure represents an increase from 14,357 visitors in 2022 and 16,798 in 2023, showing Lagos’ growing appeal as a global tourism destination.
The disclosure was made on Tuesday in Ikeja during a Public Policy Engagement Session with key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs, in the entertainment and tourism sectors, organised by the Policy Analysis, Monitoring, and Evaluation Department of the Cabinet Office.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to positioning Lagos among the top five tourist destinations in Africa for authentic cultural and heritage experiences. She was represented by Kehinde Gbajumo, Permanent Secretary, OSSG-Cabinet Office.
Salu-Hundeyin said the government was intensifying efforts to expand the tourism ecosystem, attract more international visitors, and strengthen the state’s creative economy.
She added that the engagement session was aimed at reviewing ongoing initiatives and assessing the progress made under the administration’s entertainment and tourism agenda.
She also explained that insights shared during the deliberation would be analysed by the Policy Analysis, Monitoring, and Evaluation Department to enhance data-driven decision-making and policy execution.
In his remarks, Oladele Oyatope, Head of the Department, said the session was designed to evaluate the performance indicators of the fifth pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, which focuses on entertainment and tourism.
Oyatope noted that Lagos’ tourism framework is guided by two key documents; the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan (2020–2040) and the Lagos State Tourism Policy.
According to him, the master plan projects that by 2040, Lagos would increase tourism receipts to $5.1 billion and create over 1.1 million direct tourism jobs.
He, however, emphasised the need for stronger branding, advocacy, and cultural promotion to enhance global visibility and attract more visitors.
“A major area we must improve on is branding and advocacy, promoting the unique cultural identity of Lagos so that more people are drawn to visit and experience what the state offers,” Oyatope said.
