Lagos to host Afropolis Lagos Festival, welcoming 200 international tourists and artists from 11 countries to celebrate African creativity.

Lagos is gearing up to host the inaugural Afropolis Lagos Festival, expected to attract over 200 international tourists and artists from 11 countries.

The event, running from 26 October to 3 November, will be a celebration of African creativity and culture.

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Mr Qudus Onikeku, the founder of QDance Centre and initiator of the festival, made the announcement during a press conference in Lagos.

The festival, themed “Within New Myth,” is being organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

It will showcase the rich cultural heritage, creativity, and innovation of Lagos.

Participants will include artists and tourists from countries such as South Africa, Ghana, France, Brazil, and the United States. In total, over 20,000 local and international visitors are expected to join the festivities.

Onikeku explained that the festival aims to transform Lagos into a vibrant hub for creativity, bringing together artists, creators, technologists, and tourists.

Major attractions will include a visual art exhibition, music concerts, dance performances, a tech zone, and a children’s play area.

The JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History will serve as the central venue, which will be transformed into a large festival arena for nine days.

Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, described the Afropolis Lagos Festival as a celebration of Nigerian identity and a showcase of talents.

She emphasised that the event will highlight Lagos’ status as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world. The festival will offer a platform for African creatives to share ideas, collaborate, and celebrate the continent’s vibrant cultural diversity.

The festival’s opening day will include a VIP preview, a grand ceremony, and a fireside chat with Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, focusing on Lagos’ role in the global African creative economy.

The celebration will also feature a lively carnival procession, performances, and daily film screenings.

The festival will conclude on 3 November with a grand finale of “Afro House and EDM Rave,” marking the end of a week-long celebration of African creativity and cultural exchange.