Sanwo-Olu cancels Greater Lagos Fiesta hours before kick-off

The Lagos government has cancelled the 2025 ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta’.

The annual event, which was scheduled to serve as a countdown to the New Year was scheduled to hold December 31.

Gboyega Akosile, special adviser on media and publicity to Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement Tuesday, said the cancellation was approved by the governor.

Akosile said the governor urged Lagos residents to spend the period engaging in “quality time in personal prayers for the nation, the state and the people of Lagos”, instead of participating in a countdown event.

The statement also encouraged residents to pray for “continued prosperity, leadership, peace, productivity and general wellbeing”, noting that the coming year holds great promise for Lagos state and Nigeria.

“On behalf of my family, I wish every resident of our dear state a happy and prosperous new year,” the governor said.

“I want to assure you that 2026 will be a better year for us in the state, as our administration is determined to work twice as hard to deliver good governance for the people of Lagos.”

The exact reason for the cancellation was, however, not disclosed.

In 2021, the fiesta was also cancelled over concerns about the possibility of a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Cable)