Lagos, the bustling cultural and commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, is once again highly favoured to host Africa’s most prestigious music celebration, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially declared the state’s readiness to host the rest of the continent and the world for the 2025 edition of the award ceremony.
Governor Sanwo-Olu declared this when he received a high-powered delegation from the African Union and the AFRIMA International Committee in his office on Tuesday. He said Lagos is more than prepared to roll out the red carpet for the rest of Africa to demonstrate the state’s status as Africa’s creative and cultural capital.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos’ acceptance to host AFRIMA 2025 aligns perfectly with his administration’s vision to make the creative and tourism industry a significant pillar of the state’s development drive.
He stated that his government has made significant investments in the creative industry, recognising it as a key component of its THEMES agenda. He expressed his admiration for the flourishing creative ecosystem that nurtures talent, attracts global attention, and drives economic growth, all created by his administration.
“I am impressed by the diversity and calibre of the members of the AFRIMA International Committee. Seeing representatives from countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, and South Africa is a strong affirmation that AFRIMA is a global pan-Africa initiative; it is a true continental platform,” Sanwo-Olu said as he welcomed the team.
“One of the key pillars of our administration’s development agenda is the creative industry. Since I took office, we’ve intentionally built a vibrant creative ecosystem supporting film, music, fashion, photography, and cultural tourism. This year, Lagos will be at the Cannes Film Festival, and in October 2025, we’ll host the E1 world championship, Africa’s first international water sports event, right here in Lagos. Our packed creative calendar is a strategic effort to position the state as Africa’s cultural and creative capital.
“We are happy to receive the AFRIMA team; we will do it and be part of this. This is one initiative we are proud to accommodate. Our team will work together with your team to implement this. We thank the African Union and the AFRIMA Committee for trusting Lagos.”
In her remarks, Ms. Angela Martins, Head of Culture and Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport at the African Union Commission, commended the Governor for his continuous arts support and reaffirmed the AU’s long-standing partnership with AFRIMA.
“The African Union has been proud to partner with AFRIMA since 2014. Over the years, we’ve supported the awards to ensure they live up to their promise to celebrate and reward African talent and music and promote our cultural values. Beyond entertainment, AFRIMA has become one of the tools through which we promote and communicate the African Union’s cultural policies and the broader vision of Agenda 2063, particularly in building the creative economy of Africa.
“Lagos has played a major role in the success of AFRIMA in the past. The state has hosted previous editions of the awards, and each time it has left a strong and lasting impression. This year, we are here again, not just to visit, but to officially ask for Lagos’ partnership and support to host AFRIMA 2025 because Lagos is at the heart of Africa’s creative industry,” she said.
Mike Dada, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for the state’s investment in the creative industry, stating that AFRIMA is positioned to create significant opportunities for tourism, entertainment, jobs, and the economy for the host city.
Dada said, “Your Excellency, under your leadership, Lagos has made significant progress in the creative industry. You’ve been a strong supporter and promoter of talent and fresh ideas. Whether it’s film, fashion, music, or technology, your efforts have helped make Lagos stand out as Africa’s creative capital. We at AFRIMA truly appreciate your support, and we believe Lagos is more than ready to host an unforgettable AFRIMA 2025.
“Since AFRIMA was birthed in 2014, and hosted in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, with road shows in over 22 countries worldwide, we’ve remained committed to celebrating and uniting Africa through music. AFRIMA is not just about music; it resonates with real human stories. We’ve seen dreams come true, talents discovered, and careers launched. More importantly, AFRIMA is helping to reshape the global narrative about Africa. We’re showing that Africa is not a continent of lack but a cultural powerhouse that supports development and economic growth.
“With over 1,600 nominees, and their teams, more than 1,100 production crew members expected in 2025 and over 400 million global broadcast audience, Lagos won’t just host an event; the impact of the one-week festival will be massive, opening more doors for tourism, hospitality, and new economic opportunities for business in the sector and beyond.”
Ahmed Soultan, a past winner of the Best Male Artist in Northern Africa award and a member of the visiting team, recalled how the award he won in 2014 transformed his career globally and opened a window of collaboration with top stars, including Femi Kuti, the late Sound Sultan, and Waje.
Other members of the visiting team included Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi from South Africa, Director of Brand Communications at AFRIMA; Ms. Adenrele Niyi, Chief Experience Officer (CXO) from Nigeria; Mr. Mike John Strano, an Australian-Kenyan and Regional Director for Eastern Africa; and Mr. Francis Doku, Country Director for Ghana. Also in the delegation were Mr. Kenny Ogungbe from Nigeria, a member of the AFRIMA International Congress and Media Committee, Ms. Edwidge Goli from Cote d’Ivoire, who serves as Liaison and Partnership Advisory Executive, Francophone region; and Ms. Victoria Nkong from Nigeria, an AFRIMA Associate Producer.
The African Union and AFRIMA International Committee will, on May 13 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, officially announce and present the certificate to the host of the 2025 AFRIMA.
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