The Lagos State government has opened up huge economic earnings for her rapid global development and Nigeria, with the bold exploits of the age long wasted abundant resources from the rich tourism, arts, Culture and the Creative abandoned landscape.
To actualize this noble and welcomed economic recovery vision, Lagos State government, has engaged the partnership of Downtown Promotions to hold a remarkable week-long international carnival tagged Victoria Island Carnival, with young entrepreneurs and corporate bodies in the cosmopolitan Victoria island, area of Lagos State. The economic but colourfully entertaining event is tagged Victoria Island Carnival.
The theme of the gathering with lots of global attention is “Eko’s Jewel: A Legacy Rich in Colour. It commenced on Monday September 14th, with the organizers empowering the SME and mobilizing Nigerian corporate business firms whose headquarters are located in Victoria Island, Lagos. And hospitality businesses who partnered in the economic recovery project to exploit the opportunity for corporate and national economic impact.
According to Downtown Promotions, CEO, Abiodun Ayorinde, this maiden attracted participants within and outside Nigeria. It showcased the hidden tourism treasures, cultural heritage, arts, culture, music, world class hospitality businesses, fashion, food and locally made Nigerian products to her global tourist guests.
In addition, the carnival provided free medical community service through Reddington Hospital medical outreach to all the participants. The medical outreach actually opened the door of carnival after the press briefing cum-showpiece ceremony. It was followed by the “Double-Deck bus city tour to Lagos Island, Lekki, Mainland in a creative carnival rave.
The amazing first kind of it’s event will witness a grandiose carnival village arts, cultural and entertainment treats with Muri Okunola park city rave on Saturday. It was ascend to it’s expected peak with Grand Carnival parade of people from all walks of life, races, faith, creed, professions, generations and entertainers thrilling guests and participants parading through out Victoria island.
Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyink, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, who described the carnival as a huge global economic opportunity, noted that the carnival is an economic opportunity to showcase vibrant lifestyle, talents and economic potentials of Lagos State, the economic hub of Nigeria to global audience.
Speaking at the media briefing in Lagos, Ayorinde, who is also founder of the the Victoria Island Carnival, stated that, Victoria Island Carnival, is designed as a week-long celebration taking place from 14 to 20 September 2026, bringing together culture, music, fashion, food, art, business, tourism, community engagement and entertainment.
It is about creating economic impactful rewarding platform.
Economically, the Carnival will create opportunities for small businesses, food vendors, fashion brands, creatives, artisans, performers, event professionals, hospitality providers,
transport operators and many other businesses within the creative and service sectors.
We also want the Carnival to become a meaningful marketplace for Nigerian creativity. From designers and musicians to chefs, artists, content creators and cultural entrepreneurs, we want to give talented people the opportunity to showcase what they do and build stronger commercial visibility.
Most importantly, we want the Carnival to belong to business owners, workers, families, young people, visitors, creatives, corporate organisations and communities into a strong renowned marketplace worldwide.
Our ambition is for the Victoria Island Carnival to grow into a major annual cultural and tourism event, not just in Lagos, but across Nigeria and eventually on the international calendar. We hope to see the Carnival attract more visitors, create more opportunities for businesses, support more creative talents, strengthen community participation and become a platform for cultural exchange and international engagement, he elaborated.
