The Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate for the 2027 Lagos State Governorship Election, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government and the APC administration to expanding the creative economy, empowering young people, promoting innovation and creating sustainable employment opportunities across Lagos.
Dr. Hamzat stated this at the official unveiling of Euphoria360 Hub, a state-of-the-art movie and entertainment facility located in Oregun, Ikeja.
The APC Governorship Candidate, accompanied by his running mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, and members of the APC Lagos State Campaign Council led by the Director-General, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, commissioned the facility amid a gathering of stakeholders from the entertainment industry, government, youth groups, entrepreneurs and party supporters.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Euphoria360 Hub, Mr. Femi Adebayo Salami, described the facility as a one-stop destination designed to meet the growing needs of Nigeria’s movie and entertainment ecosystem.
He explained that the hub was established to provide a modern environment for content creation, film production, talent development, professional training, networking and entertainment business incubation.
Salami further announced the commencement of an intensive skills development programme that will train 250 young Lagosians in various aspects of movie production and entertainment-related disciplines.
According to him, the initiative is designed to equip young people with practical skills that will enhance their employability, entrepreneurial capacity and participation in the creative economy.
In his keynote address, Dr. Hamzat commended the vision behind Euphoria360 Hub, describing the project as a strategic private-sector investment that aligns with Lagos State’s drive for economic diversification, youth empowerment and innovation.
He expressed delight at the quality of infrastructure and creativity demonstrated at the facility, noting that the creative industry remains one of the most promising sectors for wealth creation, employment generation and sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Hamzat congratulated Mr. Femi Adebayo Salami on the initiative and paid tribute to his parents, veteran Nollywood icon Chief Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello) and Alhaja Ejide Salami, for their enduring contributions to the growth, development and international recognition of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The APC Governorship Candidate emphasised the enormous economic potential of the global creative sector, noting that the industry generates trillions of dollars globally, while Africa continues to account for only a relatively small share of the value.
He challenged stakeholders in Nollywood and the wider creative ecosystem to embrace innovation, improve the quality of local content, leverage technology and build strategic partnerships capable of significantly increasing Africa’s share of the global creative economy.
According to Dr. Hamzat, Lagos State is determined to remain Africa’s leading destination for creativity, innovation and enterprise.
He disclosed that plans are underway to train one million Lagos youths in high-demand skills across diverse sectors, including technology, film production, acting, cybersecurity, robotics, photography, animation, digital content creation, artificial intelligence and other emerging fields.
He said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to prepare Lagos youths for the future economy, equip them with relevant skills and connect them to employment, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities.
Dr. Hamzat also highlighted the growing partnerships between Lagos State and international institutions, including recent engagements with the State of California, United States of America, aimed at strengthening innovation, technology exchange and creative-sector development.
He urged creative industry practitioners to develop innovative proposals and work collaboratively with government to create sustainable platforms that will expand opportunities for young creatives, attract investment and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
As part of efforts to broaden access to entertainment infrastructure across Lagos, Dr. Hamzat disclosed that the Lagos State Government is investing in modern cinema facilities and creative spaces in locations including Igando, Ikorodu and Badagry, among other strategic communities.
He said the objective is to ensure that young people and creative entrepreneurs across the state can access the infrastructure and opportunities required to participate meaningfully in the creative economy.
The event attracted prominent personalities from government and the entertainment industry, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson; the Special Adviser on Communications to the President, Chief Sunday Dare; members of the APC Lagos State Campaign Council; prominent filmmakers, actors, producers, media executives and other leading figures in Nigeria’s creative sector.
The unveiling of Euphoria360 Hub marks another significant step in Lagos State’s drive to strengthen its position as a leading centre for creativity, innovation, talent development and cultural excellence in Africa.
It further demonstrates the importance of government-private sector partnerships in creating opportunities for young people, nurturing talent and building an economy where creativity can translate into sustainable livelihoods, investment and economic growth.
The Lagos State APC Campaign Council remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower young people, strengthen the creative economy and create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable development across Lagos.
