An in-depth look at how Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is leveraging culture and the creative economy to reposition Lagos as a global city beyond roads and bridges
How Sanwo-Olu Is Rebranding Lagos Through Culture, Creativity and Global Ambition
Lagos’ transformation under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu goes beyond roads and bridges; it is also a story of culture leveraged as economic power. An in-depth ARISE Style special edition captures how the governor has deliberately woven the creative economy into the fabric of governance since taking office in 2019.
Faced with the unrelenting demands of Africa’s most populous city, Sanwo-Olu adopted a leadership approach anchored in structure and coordination. His THEMES agenda provided a roadmap across critical sectors, while its expansion into THEMES+ signalled a growing focus on inclusion, youth participation, and social equity.
However, the feature places particular emphasis on culture as capital. In a wide-ranging interview with ARISE Style’s Konye Chelsea Nwabogor, Sanwo-Olu reflects on recognising the economic potential of entertainment, tourism, and the creative industries from his first day in office. Music, fashion, art, nightlife, and film were no longer treated as side attractions but as core drivers of growth.
This strategy has helped position Lagos as a global cultural destination, with events like Detty December evolving into an internationally recognised season that draws tourists, investors, and creatives from around the world. The special edition argues that Lagos’ cultural energy has become one of its strongest economic assets.
Tourism and global branding also feature prominently, particularly Lagos’ hosting of the E1 electric powerboat racing series. While not designed as a revenue-first initiative, the event delivered significant global visibility, reinforcing the administration’s belief that perception and credibility matter as much as direct income.
As Lagos continues to assert itself on the world stage, the ARISE Style feature presents Sanwo-Olu as a governor intent on building a city that is not only functional but globally competitive. Read More
