*Tourism Commissioner Hails Investors, Says Resort Reflects Lagos’ Spirit of Resilience, Innovation
BY ADEDOYIN OLATAYO EMMANUEL
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has commissioned the newly completed Phase III of Ziba Beach Resort in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, describing the development as a demonstration of Lagos’ resilience, creativity and investment potential.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday, 11th September 2026, the Commissioner commended the investors, Mrs. Tricia Olufemi and Mr. Femi Olufemi, for choosing Lagos as the location for the expanding resort, noting that their investment further strengthens the State’s growing tourism and hospitality infrastructure.
Benson-Awoyinka said the resort represented the spirit of Lagos as a destination where people from different backgrounds converge, build businesses and create opportunities.
“I see the spirit of Lagos here. I see the resilience of young people in Lagos. So when they say Nigeria has lazy youths, we should tell them no, we have resilient youths in Nigeria,” she said.
The Commissioner noted that tourism development should not be viewed solely from the perspective of international visitors, stressing the importance of developing destinations that Lagos residents and Nigerians can enjoy while also creating economic opportunities within local communities.
According to her, “Tourism is not just about people coming from abroad. Tourism is about us being able to consume what we are producing. Everybody here is a local, is a resident, and we do not need people coming from outside to validate this for us.”
She commended the investors for expanding their footprint in Lagos, describing the successive development of the Ziba brand as an indication of confidence in the State’s tourism potential.
While performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Commissioner expressed optimism about further expansion of the resort, saying, “This is to Ziba 1, this is to Ziba 2, and this is to Ziba 3. And we have been promised that Ziba 4 is also coming.”
Benson-Awoyinka also highlighted the positive impact of the resort on its host community, particularly in the areas of employment, skills development and capacity building.
She observed that the construction and operation of a facility of such magnitude had created opportunities for residents to acquire skills and secure employment across different areas, including hospitality, food and beverage services, housekeeping and other tourism-related activities.
“This is a local community and the local community has benefited from what you have put in here – in employment and in capacity building,” she said.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to creating an enabling environment for private-sector investment in tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the wider creative economy, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda.
She noted that sustained collaboration between government and private investors remained essential to expanding tourism infrastructure, creating jobs for young people and strengthening Lagos’ position as a leading destination for leisure, business and entertainment in Africa.
In her remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ziba Beach Resort, Mrs. Tricia Olufemi, described the commissioning of Phase III as a major milestone in the evolution of the resort.
She disclosed that the new phase takes Ziba’s over-water experience to a new level with larger grand over-water rooms, loft-style over-water accommodation and a dedicated wellness centre.
According to Olufemi, the development was conceived to demonstrate that Nigerians can experience world-class luxury and hospitality without having to travel outside the country.
She recalled that when the idea of an over-water resort was introduced, there were questions about whether such a concept could succeed in Lagos, but the investors remained convinced that Lagos deserved tourism destinations that matched its energy, ambition and global outlook.
“Ziba Phase III is proof that Nigerian creativity and hospitality can compete with global standards,” she said.
Also speaking, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nedcomoaks Limited, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, described Ziba Beach Resort as more than a leisure destination, stressing its contribution to employment, skills development and the local economy.
According to him, “Ziba Beach Resort is more than a resort; it is jobs, it is training, and it is proof that we can build world-class experiences right here at home.”
Okonkwo said the resort was helping to redefine the perception of luxury tourism in Nigeria by providing an over-water hospitality experience within easy reach of Lagos residents and visitors.
He noted that the development demonstrated the potential of Nigerian entrepreneurs to create globally competitive tourism products while retaining value within the domestic economy.
Ziba Beach Resort is regarded as Nigeria’s first over-water resort in Lagos and combines luxury accommodation, hospitality, wellness and leisure experiences within a distinctive waterfront environment.
The commissioning of Phase III further expands Lagos’ portfolio of tourism and leisure destinations and reinforces the State’s growing reputation as a leading hub for tourism, hospitality, entertainment and creative enterprise in Africa.
