Lagos tourism gets new administrative push as DLM is confirmed Chief of Staff to Aregbe

Entrepreneur and venture builder David Lanre Messan, popularly known as DLM, has been confirmed as Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor’s Special Adviser on Tourism, Hon. Idris Aregbe.

Messan announced his confirmation, describing the appointment as a significant milestone in his professional journey and an opportunity to contribute to the development of a Greater Lagos and Nigeria.

The appointment brings his experience in entrepreneurship, venture building, business strategy, entertainment and creative development into public service, with expectations that his private-sector background will support the state’s tourism and creative economy agenda.

Before establishing himself as a venture builder, DLM maintained strong ties with the entertainment industry, particularly music. His involvement in the sector dates back to the early 2000s.

Between 2015 and 2016, he managed artiste Maka, while from 2012 to 2016, he worked with Emmashyne on the establishment of a music production business.

Although his professional interests later shifted towards entrepreneurship and business development, his passion for music and creative expression remained. His recent exploration of music under the identity DLM The Icon reflects his continued interest in the creative industry.

In his new position, Messan has outlined an ambitious 90-day administrative and operational plan aimed at establishing an efficient office structure, improving accountability and strengthening the delivery of tourism-related programmes and partnerships.

The plan sets specific targets, including ensuring that every staff member has a signed role description and monthly performance review, achieving at least 90 per cent timely completion of assigned commitments, and securing at least three partnerships or advancing them to final state approval within the first 90 days.

It also seeks to reduce by half the time the Special Adviser spends coordinating staff and following up on assignments.

The implementation strategy is divided into three phases.

The first 30 days will focus on assessing existing operations, identifying administrative gaps and establishing priorities. This phase will produce a diagnostic report, a proposed organisational structure and a list of 10 priority public-private partnership opportunities.

Between days 31 and 60, the office will introduce operational systems, including an approved organisational structure, designated unit heads, individual staff responsibilities, a central task-tracking system and standard operating procedures.

The final 30 days will focus on implementation and expansion, with deliverables including a quarterly impact report, signed partnerships and a strategic plan for the following quarter.

The proposed structure will place the Special Adviser at the centre of policy direction, stakeholder relationships and public visibility, while the Chief of Staff will oversee administration, coordination, implementation and partnership development.

Five operational units are proposed: Programmes and Events; Public-Private Partnerships and Partnerships; Media and Communications; Protocol and Scheduling; and Administration and Finance.

The plan also introduces performance monitoring mechanisms, including four formal review meetings with the Special Adviser on days seven, 30, 60 and 90. These will be complemented by daily morning briefings, Monday priority-setting meetings and Friday progress reports.

Messan has also identified potential implementation challenges, including resistance to new administrative procedures and delays in securing government approvals for proposed partnerships.

To address these concerns, the plan proposes early engagement with relevant ministries and the Lagos State Public-Private Partnership Office, alongside a written declaration of interests at the commencement of his tenure.

As part of the initial steps, Messan has requested formal communication of his appointment and authority to staff members, agreement on decision-making responsibilities, centralised coordination of new assignments through his office and a 15-minute daily briefing with the Special Adviser.

Meanwhile, Social Media Centre Marketing (SMC) has congratulated Messan on his confirmation, describing the development as another milestone in a career shaped by entrepreneurship, creativity, business development and the pursuit of new opportunities.

The appointment comes as Lagos continues to position tourism, hospitality, entertainment, cultural festivals and destination marketing as important components of its economic development strategy.

With its vibrant creative industry, cultural attractions, waterfront locations, hospitality sector and major entertainment events, Lagos has considerable opportunities to attract visitors, investment and international attention.