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•To boost tourism, economy
The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to host the maiden edition of the Lagos Grand Horse Race as part of efforts to strengthen tourism, promote cultural entertainment and stimulate economic activities across the state.
The three-day event, themed “Race Into the Future,” is scheduled to hold from September 11 to 13, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, and is expected to attract more than 30,000 participants from within Nigeria and abroad.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, said the initiative aligns with the state government’s vision of positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading destination for tourism, sports and cultural entertainment.
Represented by the ministry’s Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu, Oyekan-Ismaila said the event would provide a platform to showcase Lagos to a global audience while creating business opportunities for residents and investors.
She explained that the Lagos Grand Horse Race would combine horse racing with fundraising, music, fashion, food and cultural exhibitions, making it a unique tourism offering capable of attracting visitors from across the world.
According to her, the event is expected to stimulate economic activities across the hospitality and tourism value chain, benefiting hotels, restaurants, transport operators, artists, tour operators and other service providers.
“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.
She added that the initiative forms part of the state’s broader strategy of promoting tourism through innovative cultural events and public-private partnerships.
Convener and Founder of the Lagos Grand Horse Race, Mr. Femi Fasoro, described the event as a platform for youth empowerment, sports development and the preservation of Nigeria’s rich equestrian heritage.
Fasoro said about 100 horses would compete during the festival, while traditional horsemen from different parts of the country would participate in races and cultural displays.
He noted that beyond the sporting competition, the event would celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity through fashion, music, entertainment and food, while creating opportunities for young people to explore careers and business prospects in the sports and tourism industries.
According to him, the initiative is designed to revive public interest in horse racing and establish Lagos as a leading hub for equestrian sports in Africa.
Organisers said the festival would feature horse racing competitions, cultural performances, music concerts, fashion showcases, food exhibitions and networking sessions for investors and stakeholders in the tourism industry.
They expressed confidence that the maiden edition would evolve into an annual flagship event capable of attracting international visitors and making a significant contribution to Lagos State’s tourism and investment agenda.
