Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to expanding the creative economy, empowering young people and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Hamzat spoke during the official unveiling of Euphoria360 Hub, a state-of-the-art movie and entertainment facility in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
The APC governorship candidate, accompanied by his running mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, and members of the Lagos State APC Campaign Council led by its Director-General, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, commissioned the facility at a ceremony attended by government officials, entertainment industry stakeholders, entrepreneurs, youth groups and party supporters.
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 industry.
Salami said the hub would provide a modern environment for content creation, film production, talent development, professional training, networking and entertainment business incubation.
He also announced the commencement of an intensive skills development programme aimed at training 250 young Lagosians in various aspects of movie production and entertainment.
According to him, the programme would equip beneficiaries with practical skills to improve their employability, entrepreneurial capacity and participation in the creative economy.
Speaking at the event, Hamzat commended the initiative, describing Euphoria360 Hub as a strategic private-sector investment that aligns with Lagos State’s drive for economic diversification, youth empowerment and innovation.
He said the creative industry remained one of the most promising sectors for wealth creation, employment generation and sustainable economic growth.
Hamzat congratulated Salami on the initiative and paid tribute to his parents, veteran Nollywood actor Chief Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, and Alhaja Ejide Salami, for their contributions to the growth and international recognition of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The APC candidate stressed the enormous economic potential of the global creative industry, noting that Africa still accounts for only a small share of the value generated by the sector.
He therefore challenged Nollywood practitioners and other creative industry stakeholders to embrace innovation, improve the quality of local content, leverage technology and develop strategic partnerships capable of increasing Africa’s share of the global creative economy.
Hamzat said Lagos remained determined to maintain its position as a leading destination for creativity, innovation and enterprise in Africa.
He disclosed that plans were underway to train one million Lagos youths in high-demand skills across sectors including technology, film production, acting, cybersecurity, robotics, photography, animation, digital content creation and artificial intelligence.
He said the initiative formed part of a broader strategy to prepare young Lagosians for the future economy and connect them with opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship and investment.
The deputy governor also highlighted growing partnerships between Lagos State and international institutions, including recent engagements with the State of California in the United States, aimed at strengthening innovation, technology exchange and creative-sector development.
He urged practitioners in the creative industry to develop innovative proposals and collaborate with government to establish sustainable platforms capable of expanding opportunities for young creatives and attracting investment.
Hamzat further disclosed that the Lagos State Government was investing in modern cinema facilities and creative spaces in communities including Igando, Ikorodu and Badagry.
He said the objective was to expand access to entertainment infrastructure and ensure that young people and creative entrepreneurs across the state could participate meaningfully in the creative economy.
The event attracted the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Special Advisers to the state government, the Special Adviser on Communications to the President, Hon. Sunday Dare, members of the Lagos State APC Campaign Council, filmmakers, actors, producers, media executives and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative sector.
The unveiling of Euphoria360 Hub is expected to further strengthen Lagos’ position as a major centre for creativity, innovation, talent development and cultural enterprise in Africa, while underscoring the role of public-private partnerships in creating sustainable opportunities for young people.
