Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition Uncovers Young Creative Talents as Lagos Rewards Excellence

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing young creative talents through arts education and skills development, as winners emerged at the grand finale and prize presentation ceremony of the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition 2.0.

Speaking at the event held on Tuesday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, described the competition as a platform designed to discover, nurture and showcase the immense creative potential of students across the state.

She noted that the competition, a flagship initiative of the Lagos State Government, goes beyond rewarding artistic excellence, serving as a celebration of creativity, innovation, culture and the limitless potential of young Lagosians.

According to her, Lagos, widely regarded as Nigeria’s creative and cultural capital, remains committed to empowering the next generation of creatives by providing opportunities for self-expression and artistic growth.

Oyekan-Ismaila disclosed that the 2026 edition of the competition recorded significant participation, with 489 students registering and 132 submitting entries from schools across the five divisions of Lagos State, as well as tertiary institutions.

The competition featured various categories, including painting, drawing, sculpture, beadwork, textile design, leatherwork, digital art and upcycling.

She commended participants for the originality and creativity reflected in their works, noting that an independent panel of judges undertook a rigorous assessment process to identify the most outstanding entries.

The Permanent Secretary emphasized that every participant deserved recognition, regardless of whether they received an award, as each artwork reflected dedication, imagination, hard work and passion.

“This year’s theme, ‘This is Lagos,’ challenged participants to creatively interpret the identity, heritage, resilience, innovation and diversity of our state. The artworks on display beautifully captured the essence of Lagos, its rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to sustainability,” she said.

She added that the quality of the submissions demonstrated that young Lagosians possess the creativity, vision and talent needed to shape the future of the state and the nation.

Oyekan-Ismaila also applauded the panel of judges for ensuring transparency, professionalism and fairness throughout the evaluation process. She further commended principals, teachers and school administrators for mentoring and encouraging the students, while appreciating parents and guardians for supporting their children’s creative pursuits.

She acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, development partners and stakeholders whose support contributed to the success of the initiative, describing their investment in young talents as an investment in the future of Lagos State and Nigeria.

Encouraging students to continue developing their skills, she noted that the creative industry has become a major driver of economic growth, innovation, employment and global recognition.

“The creative economy offers enormous opportunities for young people. The Lagos State Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for talented youths to thrive and succeed,” she stated.

The Permanent Secretary also paid tribute to the initiator of the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition, former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, for establishing a platform that continues to open doors for emerging creative talents across the state.

She assured that the state government would continue to support arts education, mentorship programmes, skills development initiatives and strategic partnerships aimed at fostering creativity among young people.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of awards and prizes to outstanding participants, as government officials, educators, parents and stakeholders celebrated the achievements of the young artists and craftsmen whose works reflected the vibrant culture and innovative spirit of Lagos State.