The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other stakeholders in Africa’s hospitality, tourism and cultural industries have called for stronger collaboration, infrastructure investment and cultural reawakening to position Africa as a global tourism and creative powerhouse.
The call was made at the Africa Legacy Summit held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Eko Hotels & Suites under the theme: “Reimagining the Future of Culture in African Hospitality, Tourism and Travel.”
Speaking at the summit, Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the hotel as a symbol of Lagos’ transformation and an institution that has played a central role in shaping the state’s global image over the past five decades.
“Fifty years ago, history began to be written from Africa’s hospitality story. Today, we are not simply marking a hotel anniversary; we are honouring half a century of Lagos welcoming the world,” he said.
According to him, Lagos’ emergence from a regional capital into Africa’s cultural and financial hub cannot be fully told without mentioning the contributions of Eko Hotels & Suites.
“From corporate guests arriving from abroad, this premises has often been the first impression of Lagos and indeed Nigeria. Tourism, properly understood, does not begin at the airport; it begins at the front desk,” Sanwo-Olu added.
The governor noted that Lagos has become one of Africa’s leading tourism and entertainment destinations, citing the success of the state’s “Detty December” festivities which, he said, have continued to attract visitors from across the world.
“Our hotels are filled to capacity, airlines are fully booked, and our creative economy expands significantly during the festive season. The inflow of revenue into Lagos and Nigeria demonstrates what is possible when music, fashion, food and hospitality work together,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that tourism should not be viewed as a “soft sector,” but as a strategic economic driver capable of generating employment, foreign exchange earnings and long-term economic growth.
“It creates jobs that cannot be exported, earns foreign exchange consistently and rewards every investment made in infrastructure, sanitation, security and the arts,” he said.
He highlighted ongoing investments by the Lagos State Government in roads, rail transport, ferries, security and entertainment infrastructure aimed at strengthening the tourism ecosystem.
The governor also called for stronger public-private sector collaboration, saying the government alone cannot build a globally competitive tourism industry.
“Government creates the enabling environment, but it is the private sector that builds world-class standards. Eko Hotels & Suites remains one of the clearest examples of what partnership can achieve,” he said.
In his remarks, Chairman of Eko Hotels & Suites, Christopher Chagoury, said Africa must begin to see culture not merely as entertainment, but as an economic and developmental asset.
“When a people begin to undervalue their culture, they slowly begin to undervalue themselves,” Chagoury said, quoting Pan-African leader Marcus Garvey.
He said the summit was convened to challenge the perception that culture belongs only in museums and ceremonial celebrations.
“We are gathered here to challenge the idea that culture is ornamental rather than foundational; that it is something to celebrate occasionally rather than something capable of shaping economies, influencing nations and defining civilisations,” he stated.
According to him, Africa possesses enormous cultural wealth capable of driving tourism, investment and global influence if properly harnessed.
“What stands before you is not simply a hotel celebrating 50 years, but a living institution, a witness to history and a keeper of memory,” he said.
Chagoury maintained that hospitality must evolve beyond accommodation into an immersive cultural experience.
“We are here to build a future where hospitality is not only about accommodation, but about experience; where tourism is not merely movement, but identity; and where culture is not performance alone, but economic power,” he added.
He further argued that Africa’s challenge is not a lack of talent or resources, but insufficient coordination and confidence in its own values.
“The nations that shape the future are not those that imitate endlessly, but those that remember who they are,” he said.
Also speaking, Pan-Africanist and diplomat, Wallace Williams, called for Africa to reclaim control of its global narrative through culture, creativity and stronger continental integration.
“Africa’s image has for too long been narrated by outsiders rather than Africans themselves,” Williams said.
“The world has often encountered Africa through the lenses of poverty, instability and dependency. But those who truly know Africa understand that this continent is a civilisation of genius, resilience, creativity and enterprise.”
He noted that African music, fashion, cuisine, film and storytelling are increasingly gaining global recognition and reshaping international perceptions about the continent.
“Culture is economic power. Culture is diplomacy. Long before trade agreements are signed, music, language and storytelling have already crossed borders,” he said.
Williams described Africa’s creative economy as a trillion-dollar opportunity capable of generating millions of jobs across music, tourism, fashion, publishing, digital media and sport
He also advocated stronger collaboration between Africa and the diaspora, including easier movement across borders and deeper cultural exchanges.
“We must remove barriers, strengthen partnerships and unleash the power Africa possesses. The African diaspora is not separate from Africa’s future; it is part of Africa’s strategic advantage,” he said
The summit brought together government officials, diplomats, tourism practitioners, investors and cultural advocates from across Africa and the diaspora to discuss the future of African hospitality, tourism and cultural identity.
In attendance includes: the founders of Eko Hotels & Suites, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury, Ambassador Ronald Chagoury, Prof Patrick Lumumba, Hassan Faddoul, Managing Director, Eko Hotel, Hon. Toke Benson- Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Nike Akande, former minister of industry /President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry LCCI, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu,among others personalities.
