Lagos State is witnessing a surge in diaspora-led investment in the tourism sector, underpinned by deliberate government support for private-sector initiatives. A leading example of this trend is Giwa Gardens Water Park, a multi-billion-naira facility developed by UK-based Nigerian entrepreneur Keji Giwa, which has become a symbol of investor confidence under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Since its inauguration in December 2023, the 12,100sqm water park in Sangotedo has attracted thousands of visitors and catalyzed commercial activity along the Lekki–Epe corridor. Now considered one of the largest water-based leisure destinations in West Africa, Giwa Gardens has generated employment opportunities, stimulated ancillary businesses, and reinforced Lagos as a competitive destination for entertainment and leisure investments.
Policy and Governance Driving Investment
According to Hon. Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, the state government has prioritised investor engagement, policy clarity, and infrastructure renewal as key drivers for attracting both local and diaspora investment.
“Lagos has embraced a partnership-driven model that links investors with relevant agencies, financial institutions, and development partners while streamlining approvals that previously hindered diaspora entrepreneurs,” Aregbe said.
He added that initiatives like Giwa Gardens are a direct result of the administration’s “open-door, fast-response” governance approach, emphasizing consistent policy and operational clarity as essential to repositioning Lagos as a globally viable leisure destination.
Infrastructure and Expansion
While stakeholders note ongoing challenges, including high operating costs, infrastructure gaps, and long-term maintenance, Lagos State has implemented targeted reforms to address these issues. Assessments by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area have identified critical upgrades in roads, drainage, and lighting around the Sangotedo corridor, with further enhancements planned under the Lekki–Epe renewal programme.
Giwa Gardens’ management expressed optimism that improved infrastructure will unlock additional economic potential, noting that future expansion is contingent on sustained government investment in power, transport, and drainage networks.
Strategic Impact on Diaspora Engagement
Beyond tourism, Lagos’ reforms in land-use approvals, infrastructure financing, and public-sector responsiveness have shifted perceptions of the state from a “high-risk” environment to a market increasingly attractive to diaspora investors seeking transparency, reliability, and collaborative partnerships. Analysts highlight that maintaining this momentum will require deepened cooperation between government and private operators, alongside incentives that support sustainability and community inclusion.
For many, Giwa Gardens is more than a leisure destination—it embodies Lagos’ growing confidence, progressive governance culture, and the transformative impact of aligning diaspora ambition with an enabling state framework.
As Lagos pursues its vision of becoming a global mega-city, stakeholders agree that its continued success will hinge on effective collaboration, strategic government direction, proactive private investment, and shared community prosperity.
