To increase employment, the Lagos State government has teamed up with the Persianas Group, Oak View Group, Live Nation, and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NISA) to construct Africa’s first 12,000-seat multipurpose event venue.
Speaking at the historic groundbreaking event of the Lagos Arena on Victoria Island over the weekend, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that the commendable project will bring Lagos and Nigeria to the attention of the world and generate jobs for Nigerians.
“Global standards served as inspiration for the groundbreaking of ‘The Lagos Arena’ at the Palms Mall in Lekki. With an interior capacity of 12,000, this purpose-built masterpiece will propel Lagos to the forefront of the world’s event scene.
The Lagos Arena is envisioned as a crown gem of Nigeria, taking cues from famous arenas all around the world while making its own unique statement. The goal is to elevate Lagos to the level of its worldwide counterparts, positioning it as the preferred location for major international events, he stated.
The arena will accommodate live performances, concerts, WWE and UFC events.
At Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, a group headed by Tayo Amusan, Chairman of the Persianas Group, and Governor Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Sports Development John Enoh, performed the groundbreaking ceremony.
Stakeholders, partners, renowned Nigerian musicians, captains of industry, and investors from both domestic and foreign markets, including Senator John Enoh, Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors, Obi Asika, director-general of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Dapo Adebanjo, and Aminu Umar Sadiq, CEO of NSIA, were present at the historic event.
Amusan has previously stated that the Arena project will create more than 15,000 jobs if it is implemented.
According to him, the group intends to build a massive sports and entertainment complex complete with a hotel and parking areas.
In addition, it will mark a turning point for the nation’s music business and entertainment landscape as a whole, spurring the growth of Nigeria’s booming entertainment, sports, and music industries. Amusan added, “The Arena is anticipated to generate approximately 1500 direct and indirect employment, which will foster the growth of auxiliary industries related to entertainment and sports.