A group of U.S.-based tourists exploring Lagos through a cultural tour say their experiences could help reshape global perceptions of Nigeria.
The visitors, part of a diaspora tour led by Goge Africa Travel Club, made this known during a dinner hosted in Lagos.
The event was organised by Goge Africa with support from the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe.
The tourists, drawn from different nationalities residing in the U.S., spent two days exploring markets, museums, heritage sites and local cuisine across the city.
Chief Executive Officer of Goge Africa, Isaac Moses, said the initiative was designed to give diaspora visitors firsthand experience of Nigerian culture beyond common narratives abroad.
He recalled a similar tour in November that brought visitors from Los Angeles, including a visit to a traditional ruler, Oba Oniru, where participants were given local names.
According to Moses, many visitors arrive with mixed expectations shaped by negative perceptions.
“Normally they come with their fingers crossed. They hear things. They don’t know what exactly to expect.
“So they come in with a little skepticism but we allow them to experience the good, the bad, the ugly,” he said.
He noted that while most experiences were positive, some visitors highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly transportation.
“The only experience they would have had that I would say wasn’t too palatable was that they considered some of our food too hot.
“Then the buses, we don’t have tour buses. Some of them are tall and their knees felt cramped,” he said.
Moses called on investors and transport companies to improve tourism infrastructure, citing countries such as Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco as examples.
Also speaking, Aregbe—represented by Idowu Johnson—said cultural tourism remains central to promoting the state’s heritage and attracting international visitors.
He noted that the council is responsible for preserving and documenting indigenous traditions, stressing that Lagos has a rich cultural identity.
“People think that Lagos is no man’s land, that Lagos doesn’t have a culture but Lagos has a culture,” he said.
Johnson highlighted traditions across areas such as Badagry and the mainland, noting that festivals and heritage practices remain active.
He added that tourism also boosts economic activity, as international visitors spend on local services including food, accommodation and transportation.
For some visitors, the trip was also a personal journey of rediscovery.
Karen Morris-Clarke, leader of the 19-member group and founder of Bella World of Travel, said she organised the trip after discovering her Nigerian ancestry through a DNA test.
“My daughter did a DNA test and we had Nigeria on the list.
“So for me, I realised that I have Nigerian ancestry in me, so I wanted to come home,” she said.
She acknowledged both positive experiences and challenges, particularly with transportation logistics, but praised the hospitality and safety experienced during the visit.
“There’s this negativity still associated with Nigeria… but I’m happy I came. I experienced it for myself,” she said.
Food also played a central role in the cultural exchange.
Gbolabo Adebakin, convener of the Nigeria Food Summit, said culinary experiences are key to promoting Nigerian culture globally.
“Food is the oldest form of tourism,” he said, adding that efforts are ongoing to rebrand Nigerian cuisine as nutritious, communal and culturally rich.
The tourists were entertained by the Lagos Dance Troupe and treated to a variety of local dishes, including soups, swallows, rice and palm wine, while also participating in cooking demonstrations.