Lagos Bars Traditional Festivals Without Government Approval . The Lagos State Government has directed that no traditional festival or cultural celebration will be held anywhere in the state without prior government approval, saying the measure is aimed at ensuring public safety, security and orderly conduct of such events.
The directive was announced during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting organiszed by the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture for registered traditional groups and associations at its headquarters in Ikeja.Speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Taoreed Dosumu, said obtaining official approval before staging festivals was a statutory requirement that would enable government agencies to provide adequate security and effectively coordinate activities.He noted that government approval was essential for ensuring the safety of participants and the general public during festival celebrations.The meeting, themed “No Approval, No Celebration of Festivals,” was organised to educate traditional institutions and Isese practitioners on the state’s approval process for cultural events.Also speaking, Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sanu Bonu, disclosed that the state government was working on legislation to establish a comprehensive legal framework for regulating the activities of traditional religious groups across Lagos.
According to him, the proposed law is intended to strengthen coordination among traditional institutions while promoting peaceful coexistence. He also recalled the Assembly’s role in securing official recognition for Isese Day in Lagos and revealed that discussions were ongoing to harmonise celebrations among traditional worshippers.Bonu further stated that the government was considering the establishment of a common day for traditional worshippers to celebrate together, similar to the observances by Christian and Muslim communities.Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Idowu Johnson, represented by Olumide Somoye, urged traditional institutions and Isese practitioners to comply with the approval requirement, stressing that adherence to government regulations would ensure peaceful, safe and successful festival celebrations across the state.
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.