Sanwo-Olu reaffirms commitment to creative industry at AMVCA

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the continued growth and development of Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industry.

The governor made this known on Saturday at the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, where key stakeholders and prominent figures in Africa’s entertainment sector gathered to celebrate excellence in film, television, and digital content production.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who attended the event alongside the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, noted that Lagos State would continue to create an enabling environment for creative talents to thrive and attain global relevance.

He described the creative industry as a critical driver of economic diversification, employment generation, youth empowerment, and cultural promotion, emphasizing that the sector remains one of the strongest pillars of Nigeria’s economy.

According to the governor, his administration will sustain policies and strategic investments aimed at supporting filmmakers, actors, producers, content creators, and other professionals within the entertainment ecosystem.

While he commended the increasing international recognition of Nollywood and African storytelling, attributing this achievement to the innovation, resilience, and creativity of Nigerian talents, the governor also expressed concern over the persistent menace of piracy.

He described piracy as a major threat to the sustainability and profitability of the creative sector and called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, private sector organizations, and industry stakeholders to strengthen intellectual property protection and preserve the future of Nollywood.

Sanwo-Olu further congratulated all nominees and award recipients for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of African cinema and storytelling, encouraging them to continue projecting authentic African narratives capable of resonating with global audiences.

He acknowledged the role of private sector organizations and development partners in supporting the steady growth of the entertainment industry, stating that strategic partnerships remain essential to expanding opportunities for emerging creatives.

The governor further noted that Lagos State remains committed to positioning itself as Africa’s leading hub for entertainment, tourism, arts, culture, and creative enterprise.