Concerns have continued to grow over the delay in implementing the Lagos State Tourism Promotion Agency Law, seven years after it was passed and signed into law by the state government.
The Executive Director of the African Travel Commission (ATC), Dr. Lucky George, raised the concern during an interview with The Guardian, describing the prolonged delay as a major setback for the development of tourism in Lagos State.
According to George, the non-implementation of the law has slowed efforts to establish a professional and independent tourism institution capable of driving strategic growth in the sector. He explained that the agency was designed to coordinate tourism policies, manage destination branding, attract investment, and ensure long-term planning for the industry in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
He noted that Lagos possesses enormous tourism potential due to its cultural heritage, entertainment industry, waterfronts, hospitality sector, and growing creative economy. However, he stressed that the absence of a fully operational tourism promotion agency has limited the state’s ability to maximise these opportunities and compete effectively with leading tourism destinations across Africa.
George further stated that implementing the law would help create a more structured framework for collaboration between government agencies, private investors, travel operators, and other stakeholders within the tourism ecosystem. He added that a functional tourism agency would also strengthen destination marketing, improve visitor experience, and generate employment opportunities for residents.
Industry stakeholders have continued to call on the Lagos State Government to activate the law and establish the agency without further delay. They believe the move would boost investor confidence, increase tourism revenue, and position Lagos as a leading tourism and entertainment hub on the continent.
The delay, observers say, continues to leave a major gap in the institutional development of tourism in the state.
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