In a move aimed at boosting safety, environmental sustainability, and service standards in its tourism sector, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, has launched a strategic campaign to regulate and officially register beach operators across the state.
The initiative was announced by Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, during the recent Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s sixth year in office, held in Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Benson-Awoyinka, the new framework will improve safety measures, enhance environmental practices, and elevate visitor experiences at Lagos’ coastal destinations.
“We are engaging community leaders, environmental professionals, and beach operators to ensure our waterfronts meet top-tier standards in safety, cleanliness, and hospitality,” she said.
“Our vision is to transform Lagos into a globally recognized beach tourism destination that is safe, clean, and professionally managed for both local and international tourists.”
As part of the broader strategy, the Commissioner disclosed that the state has recovered and begun revitalizing several key tourism sites, including Topo Island in Badagry, Ilashe Beach Resort, Eko Tourist Beach Resort, and Akodo Beach. These locations are being repositioned for sustainable tourism development and opened to private-sector investment.
In addition to the beach regulation initiative, the Ministry is finalizing a state-wide Hospitality Licensing and Registration Scheme aimed at strengthening industry standards.
“We are set to roll out a new Hotel Registration Platform, which will serve as a centralized database for all tourism-related establishments in Lagos,” Benson-Awoyinka revealed.
The digital platform—accessible at https://lasgtourism.com—allows operators to register online and receive a 30-day provisional certificate, pending physical verification, after which a one-year license will be issued.
Designed to integrate technology into the regulatory process, the platform will provide a comprehensive inventory of hotels, nightclubs, bars, lounges, and beach resorts across Lagos. The Commissioner emphasized that all registered businesses must display their certificates publicly at their premises.
She further warned that the state government would take enforcement action against any tourism establishment that fails to comply with the new regulations.
“These reforms are crucial for positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading tourism and entertainment hub,” she stressed.
“By embedding accountability, innovation, and excellence into our systems, we are laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable growth in the tourism sector.”
