By Janefrances Chibuzor
The Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, and lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency One in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Solomon Bonu, has renewed the call for the full implementation of the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan already passed by the House and signed into law. He made the appeal on Monday when members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Assembly complex.
Hon. Bonu told the visiting journalists that the master plan remains the most comprehensive instrument for repositioning Lagos as a competitive global destination, stressing that the document was conceived to harmonise infrastructure development, transportation, cultural promotion and agro-tourism into a single policy framework. He said that unless the plan is fully activated, the state’s tourism sector will continue to fall short of its potential.
The lawmaker, speaking strictly from his standpoint and not on behalf of the Lagos House of Assembly, explained that the long-term success of the state’s tourism industry depends on a stronger partnership between government and private investors. According to him, private sector participation is crucial for delivering modern tourism facilities, driving innovation and providing the level of operational efficiency required to attract high visitor traffic. He argued that the government’s role should be centred on policy stability, investment-friendly regulations and a transparent system that encourages private capital to flourish.
He also raised concerns about funding and oversight, insisting that tourism cannot deliver meaningful results without adequate resources and strict financial discipline. While engaging the ANJET delegation, he maintained that increased budgetary provisions must be accompanied by regular audits and accountability mechanisms to ensure that investments translate into visible improvements across the sector. He emphasised that tourism, when properly managed, has the capacity to generate significant revenue and create new economic opportunities for residents.
Hon. Bonu further shared his views on emerging opportunities within diaspora tourism, especially ahead of future cultural events. He disclosed, he is advocating for a dedicated housing initiative for diaspora visitors, in which a designated area within Lagos would be made available for descendants of African heritage interested in reconnecting with their roots through long-term property ownership. He described the concept as a forward-looking investment channel that could strengthen cultural ties while boosting tourism inflows.
He added that part of the proposal he is pushing includes a heritage return-voyage programme designed to retrace historical routes linked to the transatlantic slave era. The experience, he said, would give diaspora participants a deeper emotional link to their ancestry while expanding Lagos’ cultural tourism offerings. He noted that such initiatives could elevate the state’s profile as a major hub for global heritage tourism if supported by sustained policy action and infrastructural development.
The lawmaker urged tourism journalists to continue raising public awareness on tourism policy execution, heritage preservation and investment prospects. He commended ANJET for its sustained interest in the sector, saying that informed journalism remains an essential tool for holding institutions accountable and ensuring that tourism becomes a significant contributor to the state’s economy.
He assured the visiting team of the Committee’s readiness to support initiatives that align with global tourism standards, adding that Lagos can unlock new levels of growth if the political will to implement existing frameworks is matched with genuine stakeholder collaboration.
