Horse Race Carnival to Boost Lagos Tourism, Economy — Organisers

Posted : 07 July 2026

The maiden edition of the Lagos Grand Horse Race (LGHR) is expected to stimulate tourism, hospitality and economic activities in Lagos, with organisers projecting attendance of more than 30,000 local and international participants.

The three-day event, themed "Race Into the Future," is scheduled to hold from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13 at the National Stadium, Surulere.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, said the initiative aligns with the state's vision of using sports, culture and entertainment to drive tourism and economic growth.

Represented by the ministry's Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu, Oyekan-Ismaila said the event would further position Lagos as Africa's leading destination for tourism and cultural entertainment.

She noted that the carnival would combine horse racing with fundraising, music, fashion, food and cultural exhibitions, creating a unique experience for visitors while opening up business opportunities across various sectors.

According to her, hotels, restaurants, transport operators, artists, tour operators and other stakeholders in the hospitality value chain are expected to benefit from the economic activities the event will generate.

"The Lagos Grand Horse Race will provide a significant boost to tourism, culture and the economy. It will also strengthen destination branding and reinforce Lagos' position as Africa's leading destination for sports and cultural activities," she said.

The permanent secretary added that the initiative reflects the state's commitment to promoting tourism through innovative cultural events and strategic public-private partnerships.

Earlier, the Convener and Founder of the Lagos Grand Horse Race, Mr. Femi Fasoro, described the event as a platform for promoting youth empowerment, sports development and preserving Nigeria's rich equestrian heritage.

Fasoro said about 100 horses and traditional horsemen from different parts of the country would participate in competitive races and colourful cultural displays during the festival.

He added that the event would also showcase fashion, entertainment and Nigeria's cultural diversity while creating opportunities for young people to explore careers and businesses within the sports and tourism industries.

According to him, the long-term goal is to revive horse racing in Nigeria and establish Lagos as a leading destination for equestrian sports in Africa.

Organisers said the event would also feature music concerts, cultural performances, food exhibitions, fashion showcases and networking sessions for investors and stakeholders in the tourism sector.

They expressed confidence that the inaugural edition would evolve into an annual international event capable of enhancing Lagos State's tourism profile and attracting greater investment.

The organisers believe the event will serve as a catalyst for economic growth while promoting Nigeria's equestrian heritage and expanding Lagos' appeal as a global tourism and sports destination. If successful, the festival is expected to lay the foundation for a sustainable annual event that attracts increasing local and international participation.

Horse Race Carnival to Boost Lagos Tourism, Economy — Organisers

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