Lagos State has reaffirmed its strong support for the creative industry, underscoring Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to strengthening the sector’s ecosystem and expanding opportunities for talent development.
Eko Hot News reports that the assurance was given by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, at the opening of Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Livespot Entertarium, Ikate, Lekki. The week-long festival, scheduled from November 18 to 23, spreads across multiple venues, including Livespot, Eko Hotel and Suites, EbonyLife Place, and Alliaco.
The Commissioner highlighted Lagos’ year-round vibrancy as a centre of artistic and cultural expression, far beyond the popular “Detty December” period. She noted that the Sanwo-Olu administration continues to create an enabling environment for individuals and organisations whose projects align with the state’s vision for a thriving creative economy. According to her, the results of government support are evident in the increasing number of successful creative platforms and productions emerging from the state.
Benson-Awoyinka commended the founder of Entertainment Week Africa, Mrs Deola Art-Alade, for her visionary leadership in growing the event from Entertainment Week Lagos to a continent-wide platform that showcases African innovation and talent. She also emphasised the role of mentorship in shaping the next generation of creative professionals.
Speaking on the rebranding, Art-Alade described the shift to Entertainment Week Africa as a bold affirmation of Africa’s unified creative identity. She explained that the event brings fans, creators, and innovators together through experiences such as the EWA Content Festival and the EWA Music Camp—platforms designed to support filmmakers, producers, songwriters, and sound engineers in developing original work for global audiences.
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Mr Darey Art-Alade, added that EWA’s professional programmes—including the Content Market and Creators’ Hub—are built to unlock real opportunities for creators, with application details set to be released soon on the event’s official channels.
Building on its legacy, EWA aims to cement its position as Africa’s leading destination for creative collaboration, inspiration, and industry-shaping ideas. With Africa’s creative economy rapidly expanding, stakeholders agree that platforms like EWA are vital in harnessing the continent’s potential and projecting its cultural influence to the world.
