The Lagos State Government on Tuesday announced the last-minute cancellation of the Greater Lagos Fiesta, calling off the widely anticipated end-of-year celebration just hours before its scheduled commencement. The decision triggered confusion and disappointment among residents, vendors, and performers who had already made arrangements for the event.
In an official advisory issued shortly before the planned kick-off, the state government urged Lagosians to remain indoors and pray, citing prevailing circumstances that required caution and restraint. While the statement did not provide extensive details, officials emphasised that the decision was taken in the interest of public safety and collective well-being.
The Greater Lagos Fiesta is one of the state’s flagship cultural and entertainment events, typically staged across multiple locations and drawing large crowds. It is designed to showcase music, arts, food, and tourism, while boosting the city’s festive economy. Preparations for this year’s edition had been underway for weeks, with stages reportedly already set up in several venues.
The abrupt nature of the cancellation sparked widespread reactions on social media, where attendees questioned the timing of the announcement and the lack of prior notice. Small business operators and informal traders, many of whom rely on the event for seasonal income, expressed concern over potential financial losses.
Government sources, however, maintained that the situation necessitating the cancellation emerged rapidly, leaving little room for alternative arrangements. They reiterated that public gatherings could pose risks under the prevailing conditions and urged residents to cooperate calmly with official guidance.
Security analysts note that the message encouraging residents to “stay at home and pray” reflects a broader appeal for vigilance and communal responsibility, particularly during periods of heightened uncertainty. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, routinely balances large-scale public events with complex security and logistical considerations.
As of the time of reporting, the state government had not announced a rescheduled date for the fiesta, nor had it outlined compensation or relief measures for affected vendors and partners. Officials said further updates would be communicated through official channels.
For many Lagosians, the cancellation underscores the fragile balance between celebration and caution in a densely populated megacity, where decisions taken at short notice can have wide social and economic ripple effects.
📚 References
- Arise News. (2025, December 31). Lagos cancels Greater Lagos Fiesta 2025, urges residents to pray for state, Nigeria. Arise TV. Retrieved from https://www.arise.tv/lagos-cancels-greater-lagos-fiesta-2025-urges-residents-to-pray-for-state-nigeria/
- Salau, G. (2025, December 31). Sanwo-Olu cancels Greater Lagos Fiesta, urges residents to pray. The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved from https://guardian.ng/news/sanwo-olu-cancels-greater-lagos-fiesta-urges-residents-to-pray/
- Daily Post Staff. (2025, December 31). Lagos govt cancels Greater Lagos Fiesta, calls for prayers ahead of 2026. Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved from https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/31/lagos-govt-cancels-greater-lagos-fiesta-calls-for-prayers-ahead-of-2026/
- Moses, T. (2025, December 31). Lagos government cancels ‘Greater Lagos’ Fiesta 2025. Leadership Nigeria. Retrieved from https://leadership.ng/lagos-government-cancels-greater-lagos-fiesta-2025/
