May 2, 2023

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, recently, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Arts, Republic of Benin towards strengthening bilateral relationships between both governments and breaking all seeming barriers impeding tourism.

In her remarks, the Commissioner stated that cooperation between Lagos and Benin is important and has become imperative in the area of tourism because of the proximity of the Lagos Tourism sites to the Beninoise Country and the need to explore ways of removing all impediments that prevent tourists from the Benin Republic visiting the attraction sites in Lagos

Akinbile-Yusuf also used the opportunity to inform her host of the numerous achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration in Tourism, Arts and Culture that have changed the narrative of Tourism in Lagos and positioned the State as one of the most preferred tourists destinations in Africa, from the Vlekete Slave Market Museum to the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History amongst others

While welcoming the delegation, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Arts of Benin Republic, Mr. Babalola Jean-Michelle Abimbola stated that the time has come to deepen Tourism and Cultural relationships between the two countries and Lagos has a huge role to play in bringing this to reality.

The Minister promised the support and collaboration of Benin while encouraging the seamless patronage of tourists from the country to tourism sites in Lagos, especially Badagry considering its close proximity.

The visit is in continuation of the quest to sell Lagos Tourism sites to different stakeholders and remove impediments that can hinder tourists from visiting its various attraction sites which started with a round table conference that the Commissioner had with Consuls-General of some countries last year.

The Consul-General of Benin Republic in Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Ajani Adeyanju was also present during the meeting among other stakeholders.