Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting private-sector investment in tourism and hospitality with the commissioning of Phase III of Ziba Beach Resort in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who commissioned the facility on Friday, September 11, 2026, commended the investors, Mrs. Tricia Olufemi and Mr. Femi Olufemi, for expanding their investment in Lagos.
Benson-Awoyinka described the development as a reflection of Lagos’ resilience, creativity and investment potential, noting that it further strengthens the state’s growing tourism and hospitality infrastructure.
“I see the spirit of Lagos here. I see the resilience of young people in Lagos. So when they say Nigeria has lazy youths, we should tell them no, we have resilient youths in Nigeria,” she said.
The Commissioner stressed that tourism should not be viewed solely as a means of attracting international visitors, but should also provide quality leisure experiences for residents while creating jobs and economic opportunities within local communities.
“Tourism is not just about people coming from abroad. Tourism is about us being able to consume what we are producing. Everybody here is a local, is a resident, and we do not need people coming from outside to validate this for us,” she said.
She commended the investors for their confidence in Lagos and expressed optimism that the resort would continue to expand.
“This is to Ziba 1, this is to Ziba 2, and this is to Ziba 3. And we have been promised that Ziba 4 is also coming,” Benson-Awoyinka said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Commissioner also highlighted the benefits of the resort to its host community, particularly through employment, skills development and capacity building.
She noted that the construction and operation of the facility had created opportunities for residents to acquire skills and secure employment in hospitality, food and beverage services, housekeeping and other tourism-related fields.
“This is a local community and the local community has benefited from what you have put in here—in employment and in capacity building,” she said.
Benson-Awoyinka reaffirmed the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for private investment in tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the wider creative economy, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda.
She said sustained collaboration between government and private investors remained critical to expanding tourism infrastructure, creating jobs for young people and strengthening Lagos’ position as a leading destination for leisure, business and entertainment in Africa.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ziba Beach Resort, Mrs. Tricia Olufemi, described the commissioning of Phase III as a major milestone in the resort’s development.
Olufemi said the new phase expands Ziba’s over-water experience with larger grand over-water rooms, loft-style accommodation and a dedicated wellness centre.
She explained that the resort was conceived to demonstrate that Nigerians can enjoy world-class luxury and hospitality without travelling outside the country.
According to her, although there were initial doubts about the viability of an over-water resort in Lagos, the investors remained convinced that the city deserved tourism destinations that matched its energy, ambition and global outlook.
“Ziba Phase III is proof that Nigerian creativity and hospitality can compete with global standards,” she said.
Also speaking, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nedcomoaks Limited, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, described Ziba Beach Resort as more than a leisure destination, citing its contribution to employment, skills development and the local economy.
“Ziba Beach Resort is more than a resort; it is jobs, it is training, and it is proof that we can build world-class experiences right here at home,” Okonkwo said.
He said the resort was helping to redefine luxury tourism in Nigeria by providing an over-water hospitality experience accessible to Lagos residents and visitors.
Okonkwo added that the development demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian entrepreneurs to create globally competitive tourism products while retaining economic value within the country.
Ziba Beach Resort, regarded as Nigeria’s first over-water resort in Lagos, offers luxury accommodation, hospitality, wellness and leisure experiences in a distinctive waterfront setting.
The commissioning of Phase III further expands Lagos’ portfolio of tourism and leisure destinations and reinforces the state’s position as a growing hub for tourism, hospitality, entertainment and creative enterprise in Africa.
