The $100 million Lagos Film City will help to create numerous job opportunities, stimulate economic growth and attract investments to the State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Wednesday.
The Governor spoke at the groundbreaking of the Lagos Film City Project at Ejinrin, Epe, in the Lagos-East Senatorial District.
He explained that the film city, which covers 100 hectares of land, will be executed on the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model.
According to the Governor, the film city will be a testament to his administration’s commitment to nurturing the arts and supporting the dreams of aspiring filmmakers, actors, and technicians.
Sanwo-Olu enjoined various stakeholders, including filmmakers, investors, educators and the community at large – to join hands and contribute towards the success of the film city.
“Let us work together to build an ecosystem that nurtures creativity, fosters collaboration, and empowers our artists to push the boundaries of their craft,” he added.
The Commissioner for the Ministry of Arts, Tourism and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka said the approval for the groundbreaking shows that Lagos will witness bigger projects in Sanwo-Olu’s second term.
“It will serve as an all-in-one facility – with leisure, entertainment, and learning infrastructure. It will also have accommodations and numerous state-of-the-art studios to support television, radio and film, ranging from pre-production, production, post-production and distribution, among others.
Benson-Awoyinka averred that the Lagos State Government is committed to investing in this project, which is kicking off with the groundbreaking event, under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism Arts And Culture.
She noted that the Lagos Film City is poised to make Lagos state even more prosperous and unique, adding that the state government will not rest on its oars of past achievements but will instead make the tourism and entertainment industry more vibrant.
Linus Idahosa, founder of Del-York Group and the initiator of the project said that the Lagos State Government has initiated a thorough 30-year development strategy to expedite the state’s infrastructural evolution.
“This strategy aims to bolster infrastructure, draw investments, amplify opportunities, foster tourism and uplift the living standards of Lagosians. Notably, the Lagos Film City stands as a significant highlight of this plan. The collaboration between the Lagos Film City and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is expected to generate substantial economic impact. With an anticipated influx of international visitors, it’s projected that the tourism sector alone will contribute significantly to the local economy, potentially boosting revenue by over 20% in the coming years.
“This first-of-its-kind entertainment ecosystem embodies a forward-thinking initiative set to emerge as a worldwide hub for creativity, innovation, and cultural prominence. Africa, with its vast cultural diversity, breathtaking landscapes, and myriad untold stories, has always sought a stage to display its creative excellence. Lagos Film City stands as that stage for the continent’s flourishing film sector. A synergistic confluence of Del-York University, Kebulania’s Studio City, and Kebulania Theme Park isn’t merely about bricks and mortar; it’s a citadel fostering a vibrant film ecosystem. From ultra-modern sound stages to post-production facilities, movie sets, workshops, and a contemporary theme park, this project aims to empower local and international talents and stimulate economic growth across the country and sub-region.
“Creativity unites when cultures converge. The Lagos Film City is more than just a symbol of international cooperation; it’s a crucible where talents from across the globe unite, bringing dreams to fruition. Education is the cornerstone of progress. It’s the vessel through which we can impart skills, knowledge, and the confidence our youth need to spearhead the next wave of innovation in entertainment. At Del-York, we have relentlessly worked over the past three years to build global relationships with world-renowned brands, ensuring that the Lagos Film City has world-class partners and that our youth have access to the best resources, mentors, and opportunities,” Idahosa said.
