Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has joined Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.
The event was attended by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, alongside other stakeholders in Africa’s creative industry.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu described CANEX as an important platform for celebrating Africa’s creative talents, strengthening partnerships and creating new opportunities for professionals across the continent and beyond.
The governor highlighted the growing contribution of the creative industry to economic development, noting that sectors such as fashion, film, music, visual arts, design and entertainment are playing significant roles in shaping culture, creating employment and attracting investments.
He maintained that Lagos remains committed to supporting creative professionals and providing an enabling environment for businesses and individuals in the sector to thrive.
Sanwo-Olu further stated that his administration’s aspiration is to strengthen Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading creative and cultural hub and establish the state as a global destination for arts and creative industries.
He also welcomed participants and international guests attending the event, expressing optimism that they would experience the energy, hospitality and creativity associated with Lagos.
The 2026 CANEX gathering is expected to provide opportunities for networking, business partnerships, investment and collaboration among African creatives, while showcasing the continent’s cultural and economic potential to the international community.
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