The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lost in Lagos and Awari, Tanaz Bahnam, says Lagos stands out as one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally dynamic cities because of its people, their energy, and the strong sense of community that defines it.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Friday, Bahnam — who has lived in Nigeria for 18 years — said the city’s pulse and creativity continue to inspire her work in promoting discovery and tourism through her platforms.
“What stands out for me in Lagos is the people. It’s what they do that makes the city come alive,” she said. “That sense of community is something I haven’t experienced anywhere else, and that’s what draws people to Lagos and to Nigeria. It’s also what made me fall in love with the city in the first place.”
Bahnam, who moved to Nigeria nearly two decades ago, created Lost in Lagos as a lifestyle and discovery platform to help residents and visitors explore the city’s hidden gems — from food and art to culture and experiences.
“When I first moved to Nigeria 18 years ago, I found it quite difficult to explore and discover new places,” she explained. “I realised there were so many businesses and areas that were undocumented. So I started putting them together on the Lost in Lagos website. From there, we began to evolve, finding new ways to engage both the customers and the businesses.”
Building on that success, Bahnam launched Awari, a new app designed to take exploration even further.
“Awari, which means ‘to seek and discover’ in Yoruba, is about changing the way people experience their cities,” she said. “We’ve created a platform that allows businesses to communicate directly with potential customers, acquire and retain them, and gain visibility. At the same time, we make it seamless and exciting for users to discover places and experiences.”
Bahnam said the Lagos lifestyle scene has transformed dramatically over the years, with an explosion of creativity across sectors like food, fashion, retail, and entertainment.
“The Lagos scene has changed so much,” she said. “There are so many amazing restaurants, retail spaces, and fashion brands. The entertainment and music industries are booming, and there’s now a reason to come to Lagos all year round — not just in December.”
She highlighted the growing calendar of cultural and business events such as Lagos Fashion Week, Art X Lagos, ELOY Awards, Gitex, and Moonshot as proof that Lagos has become a year-round global destination.
Bahnam noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Lagos’s lifestyle ecosystem, and that Awari was designed to give them better tools to thrive.
“Over the years, I’ve seen what the pain points are for these businesses,” she said. “As social media gets busier, it’s harder for them to reach the right customers. So we created Awari to give lifestyle SMEs tools that make discovery enjoyable for customers — through event tickets, experience packages, and loyalty programmes. We want to make their lives easier and more sustainable.”
As December approaches — the period known for Lagos’s globally famous “Detty December” festivities — Bahnam said Awari is already powering experiences and events to make visitors’ stay seamless.
“With Awari, we have a full ticketing platform,” she explained. “Many of the December events are going to be on the app, alongside experience packages and guided tours. We encourage businesses to create packages that make discovering Lagos easier — the way you would in any major tourist destination. We want Lagos to offer a seamless journey into discovery.”
Asked about her favourite aspects of December in Lagos, she said the concerts and nightlife top the list.
“I think the concerts are my favourite,” she said. “There’s so much incredible music — I love Afrobeats. Whenever I travel and hear it playing abroad, it fills me with pride. It’s a reminder that I live in Nigeria.”
Despite her Iranian roots, Bahnam said she feels deeply connected to the Lagos lifestyle — even adopting the nickname Olamide, meaning “my joy has come.”
When asked what she would show a visitor with only one day in the city, Bahnam said she would take them to both traditional and contemporary Lagos.
“I would take them to a market to see the real Lagos,” she said. “But they also need to visit art galleries like Nike Art Gallery, eat some Nigerian food — definitely suya — and see landmarks like the Lekki Conservation Centre and the J.K. Randle Centre. You can’t experience Nigeria in one spot — you have to see it all.”
Looking ahead, Bahnam revealed plans to expand beyond Lagos and Abuja, reaching other African and Middle Eastern cities.
“We’re trying to change the way people discover urban destinations in emerging markets,” she said. “Beyond Nigeria, we’re looking at other African countries and even the Middle East. Many of these destinations have huge potential for tourism, but they just need the right tools for visibility and connection.”
Bahnam said she is open to working with local guides and tour operators to enhance visitor experiences.
“We want people — both visitors and locals — to experience the city in ways they normally wouldn’t,” she said. “If that’s through a tour operator or local business, any added value leaves a positive impression.”
She concluded by reaffirming her passion for showcasing Lagos to the world.
“Lagos is dynamic, complex, and full of heart,” she said. “It’s a city that never stops evolving, and we just want to help people discover it.”
Boluwatife Enome
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