2026 Lisabi Festival: Ogun proposes $5bn investment in fashion, creative industry

As part of efforts to promote culture and tourism in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced plans to develop a $5 billion fashion and creative industry anchored on indigenous culture.

The governor disclosed this at the grand finale of the 2026 Lisabi Festival held at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta, noting that the initiative, being pursued in collaboration with the Federal Government, will focus on strengthening the Adire fabric industry and the popular Egbaliganza cultural showcase.

According to him, the initiative has already triggered what he described as an “Adire renaissance,” empowering local artisans and stimulating enterprise across the state.

Governor Abiodun said tourism development and the preservation of cultural heritage remain key pillars of his administration’s strategy to boost the state’s economy.

Represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Oluwasesan Fagbayi, the governor described the 2026 edition of the Lisabi Festival as “unique and profoundly symbolic,” as it coincides with Ogun State’s 50th anniversary, as well as the observance of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season.

He said the convergence reflects unity across faiths and cultures, adding that the theme of the celebration – “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Formal Education” – is a strategic pathway to tackling youth unemployment and boosting productivity.

Abiodun explained that the state government has intensified efforts to revamp its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system to position Ogun as a national leader in skills development.

He highlighted several flagship initiatives of the administration, including the Ogun Learning Enhancement and Academic Resource Network (OgunLEARN), as well as job centres and work hubs established across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The governor also cited completed and ongoing road projects across Abeokuta, including major link roads and the Kuto Flyover axis, alongside progress on the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.

According to him, the state has also recorded significant progress in housing development, with new residential projects underway and the regeneration of the Ibara Government Reserved Area (GRA) nearing completion.

Abiodun further revealed that the once-abandoned 250-bed specialist hospital in Oke-Mosan has been rebranded as the Ogun State Medical Centre of Excellence and will soon commence operations, positioning the state as a hub for medical tourism.

He urged residents to embrace the values of Lisabi – courage, sacrifice and unity, stressing that sustainable development requires collective commitment.

“As we celebrate, let us live the legacy of Lisabi. Together, we will continue to build a prosperous and inclusive future for our state,” he said.