In a surprising last-minute move, the Lagos State Government has announced the cancellation of this year’s Greater Lagos Fiesta.
The Ministry of Tourism Arts & Culture had last week announced that this year’s fiesta would hold on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st in six different locations.
But in a statement issued by Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, on Tuesday, the Governor has directed the cancellation of the fiesta this year.
The statement said while approving the cancellation, Sanwoolu directed that in place of the Greater Lagos Fiesta (Countdown 2026), Lagosians should spend quality time in personal prayers for the nation, for Lagos State and the people of Lagos in general.
He also urged people to pray for “our continued prosperity, leadership, peace, productivity and our continued general wellbeing.”
It said the Governor wished all Lagosians a happy and prosperous 2026, adding that the coming year shows great promise for the State and Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged residents to continue to live in peace and harmony, it stated.
“On behalf of my family, I wish every resident of our dear State a happy and prosperous new year.
“I want to assure you all that the year 2026 will be a better year for us in the State, as our administration is determined to work twice as hard to deliver the good for the residents of the state ,” the statement quoted Governor Sanwo-Olu as saying.
This year’s fiesta had promised to celebrate afrobeats legends, even though it would have held for only two days instead of the traditional eight days and five locations it used to be.
The flier for the now cancelled event had aimed to mark the 10th anniversary of the fiesta which started in 2015 with a five day, five venue yuletide activation, before being enlarged to an eight day, five venue people oriented music festival that kick-started the whole idea of detty december.
