Teju Ajayi, recognized for the Discover Lagos initiative, discusses the upcoming six-part documentary series titled ‘Discover Lagos’ in this interview. Ajayi has meticulously crafted an engaging and informative documentary drama that aims to highlight the vibrant attractions that position Lagos as one of Africa's most dynamic cities. In conversation with TOMI FALADE, Ajayi shares insights into the project's progress and explains the reasons behind the extended timeline since the initiative was first announced nearly a year ago.

Can you explain the main objectives of the ‘Discover Lagos’ initiative and how it seeks to impact locals?

The objective of Discover Lagos is to serve as a platform to show­case the city’s vibrant culture, rich history, and exciting attractions, promoting tourism and attracting visitors from around the world. It also aims to inform Lagosians, Africans, and the rest of the world about what the state government is doing to promote the city.

Discover Lagos has been to Eu­rope, Canada, United Kingdom and America, engaging diasporans and highlighting Lagos’s developments. Many people are unaware of the advancements they’ve left behind for instance, the Lagos Metro Lines, the use of a cowry cards similar to London’s Oyster card, and the ease of payments with the Lagos Resi­dent card which serves as a wallet and could be used as a credit card for cash withdrawals at Automated Teller Machines (ATM).

This initiative serves as a docu­mentary to give the world insight into Lagos’s developments, provid­ing potential visitors with an idea of what to expect. Whether you’re coming for ‘Detty December,’ sum­mer, or any other holiday, Discover Lagos offers a preview of the vi­brant experiences that awaits, with a variety of attractions that cater to different interests. From historical landmarks, entertainment to natu­ral wonders, the city has something for everyone.

What are some of the key attractions and hidden gems in Lagos that the initiative highlights?

The initiative highlights key at­tractions in Lagos that many people are unaware of, including cultural sites and ecotourism. We’ve been actively promoting water tourism and showcasing natural wonders. From serene lagoons to pristine beaches, Lagos offers a diverse range of eco-tourism opportuni­ties for those seeking a memorable holiday.

Discover Lagos also delves into the city’s vibrant entertainment and nightlife, from an array of restaurants to local delicacies like Ewa Agoyin, Suya spots, and Amala joints to iconic locations like the Fela Shrine, Nike Art Gallery. And for those exploring Lagos’s nightlife, there’s a wide variety of unique experiences awaiting them. The initiative releases one volume at a time, regularly updating con­tent as new developments and at­tractions emerge. This ensures that both locals and visitors have access to the latest and most exciting op­portunities Lagos has to offer.

How has “Discover Lagos” evolved since its inception, and what milestones are you most proud of?

Since its inception, Discover La­gos has evolved significantly, and I’m most proud of how we’ve been able to tour different parts of the world, showcasing Lagos. We’ve visited Lisbon Portugal, Paris, To­ronto, Winnipeg, United State of America, and the United Kingdom, sharing the story of Lagos with La­gosians abroad.

It brings me immense joy to see how Lagosians in the diaspora are embracing this initiative and eager­ly anticipating the completion of this production.

Another milestone is the sup­port we’ve received from the Lagos State Tourism Ministry. For in­stance, during the recently conclud­ed Greater Lagos Countdown, Dis­cover Lagos actively participated. We held workshops, engaged with the Commissioner for Tourism, Honorable Toke Benson-Awoyin­ka, and highlighted Lagos tourism. We also captured the experiences of attendees at the event.

It’s a step-by-step process, but I can confidently say that we are making remarkable progress.

What has been the response from Lagosians and tourists to ”Discover Lagos”? Have you received any memo­rable feedback?

One of the feedbacks we are par­ticularly proud of is the fact that, as mentioned, it’s one thing to have an idea and want to sell it to people, but it’s another for that idea to be wel­comed by the consumers. When we shared our vision with some Lago­sians and local stakeholders, their response has been overwhelming. They’re eager to see the outcomes of this initiative. Businesses, in­cluding restaurants, transportation sectors, and even those outside of the cultural space, are also buying into the idea.

It’s encouraging to see them not only willing to share their stories but also demonstrate how what we’re achieving in Lagos can have an impact beyond the city and even internationally. There’s so much happening in Lagos that people aren’t aware of, and this initiative has shown that these hidden gems and opportunities can be realised.

The support we’ve received has been a huge motivation, like an up­lifting force propelling us forward. I am genuinely hopeful that with the kind of energy, drive, and zeal we have on board, there will be even greater achievements beyond our expectations.

Can you share the economic impact you envision ‘Discover Lagos’ having on local businesses, hospitality, and tourism?”

The economic impact of this initiative on local businesses, hos­pitality, and tourism is significant. For one, it will attract more tour­ists to the state, contributing to the growth of the tourism industry overall. With more visitors, we can expect increased patronage across various sectors, including restau­rants, hotels, art galleries, and the transportation system. Nightlife will also see a boost, leading to an influx of customers for businesses in these areas.

Hotels in particular will expe­rience higher occupancy rates, resulting in increased revenues. This growth in tourism will also attract investors to develop new hotels, thereby creating more ac­commodation options for visitors. A reduction in monopoly within the hotel industry is likely, to en­courage competition and improve the quality of services offered to guests.

Furthermore, enhanced tour­ism will lead to job creation. As businesses grow, they will need to expand their workforce, opening up job opportunities in various sectors across the state.

In summary, this initiative is poised to create jobs, boost patron­age, increase revenue, attract in­vestments in the hospitality sector, and enhance the overall experience for tourists. Its economic impact will be felt across multiple facets of the state’s economy, driving growth and development.

What challenges have you faced in promoting Lagos as a destination through this initiative, and how have you overcome them?

The challenges we face are both global and local in nature. A major concern is security, as many tour­ists express reservations about La­gos in this regard. We are actively working to address these concerns by highlighting ongoing efforts to manage issues like crime and traf­fic congestion, which are often top concerns for visitors.

Environmental and health con­cerns are also frequently raised. Tourists often question how ef­fectively we manage waste and combat pollution. While progress is being made, these remain areas requiring continued attention.

Another significant challenge is funding. Limited resources can sometimes affect the effective­ness of promoting our efforts and achieving our goals for this initia­tive.

That said, we remain deter­mined. Despite these challenges, we are committed to making this project a success. While there are many hurdles, we choose to focus on solutions and progress rather than dwelling too much on diffi­culties. Another challenge we’ve identified is the limited awareness of what Lagos has to offer. Many po­tential tourists, both international and even local, are unaware of the attractions and unique experiences available in Lagos.

This lack of visibility is a signif­icant hurdle, and we recognise the need to do more in exposing Lagos’ offerings to the world.

As I mentioned earlier, the re­sponse from Lagosians and tour­ists regarding Discover Lagos has been very encouraging. People are embracing the initiative and are eagerly anticipating the final pro­duction of the documentary.

We’re confident that once it’s complete, it will effectively address their questions and showcase ev­erything they need to know about Lagos. Our goal is to ensure that this documentary reaches a global audience, helping to redefine the perception of Lagos on an interna­tional scale.

Lastly, what message do you hope to convey to both Lagos residents and international tourists about the essence of Lagos through ‘Discover Lagos’?

One of the key goals of Dis­cover Lagos is to raise awareness that counters the misconceptions about Lagos, Nigeria, which might discourage tourists.

Through this initiative, we aim to dispel negative stereotypes such as concerns about safety, theft, un­favourable regulations, challenging weather conditions, or traffic con­gestion. These perceptions often shape how people view Lagos, but with the information and experi­ences we showcase through Discov­er Lagos, we are working to change that narrative.

By providing accurate and en­gaging insights, we aim to change these misconceptions about Lagos with informed perspectives com­ing from various state represen­tatives about what Lagos truly has to offer.

As the Discover Lagos docu­mentary prepares to make its de­but, Teju Ajayi’s initiative promis­es to redefine how the world sees Lagos.

By highlighting Lagos’ unique experiences, we are contributing to the city’s branding, distinguishing it from other destinations and cre­ating a lasting impression on global travellers.

It will help to raise the city’s glob­al profile, earning recognition as a vibrant and exciting tourist desti­nation in Africa.