LASG Reaffirms Commitment to Heritage Preservation at EUDiF Capacity Development Lab

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, successfully hosted the EU Global Diaspora Facility (EUDiF) Capacity Development Lab (CDL) Nigeria and the validation of the Heritage Conservation Management Framework (HCMF). This collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) took place on Friday, December 5th, and Saturday, December 6th, 2025. The two-day program featured a high-level Stakeholders’ Roundtable at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, followed by the Ikorodu Heritage Festival held at the Palace of the Oba of Ikorodu

Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its rich cultural heritage. She emphasised the strategy of positioning heritage tourism as a key driver of sustainable socio-economic growth for the state. Benson-Awoyinka underscored the significance of collaborative partnerships with federal institutions, international development bodies, and the diaspora community, noting these alliances have been instrumental in advancing the complex heritage conservation project.

​Highlighting the project’s governance and implementation strategy, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Ore Finnih, stressed the importance of clearly defined partnerships for long-term success. She announced the planned establishment of a Technical Committee which will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of all resolutions reached at the Roundtable, stressing the need for timely, measurable, and sustainable outcomes.

​In his remarks, the representative of the Director-General, NCMM, and Director of Heritage Services, Mr. Abubakar Usman, assured all stakeholders of the Commission’s full technical support. This support will be directed toward documenting and preparing Ikorodu’s heritage assets for official submission to UNESCO. He pledged continuous professional collaboration throughout the enlistment process, starting with the crucial inclusion on the UNESCO Tentative List.

The Deputy Head of the Brussels Mission and Head of Global Initiatives Programme, ICMPD, Mr. Oleg Chirita, commended the African diaspora for their vital contributions to heritage preservation globally. He reaffirmed the continued technical support of EUDiF and expressed strong optimism about attracting further assistance from the European Union, Germany, and UNESCO to the project.