NIGERIA: Lagos Set to Host AFRIMA 2025, Sanwo-Olu Affirms Readiness

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed the state’s readiness to host the highly antcipated All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in 2025 Lagos.

The announcement was made during a visit by a delegation from the African Union and the AFRIMA International Committee to the governor’s office.

Sanwo-Olu, who has long been an advocate for Lagos’ creative and cultural industries, emphasized that the city’s status as the cultural and commercial hub of Africa made it the ideal location for the prestigious event.

He affirmed that the hosting of AFRIMA 2025 aligns with his administration’s vision to further elevate Lagos as a global centre for creativity and tourism.

Sanwo-Olu said: “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-African initiative; it is a true continental platform.”

The delegation, led by AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada, also received praise for Lagos’ significant contributions to the creative economy. Dada thanked the governor for his ongoing support of the arts and highlighted how AFRIMA has played a pivotal role in promoting African talent and reshaping the global narrative about the continent.

He said, “Under your leadership, Lagos has made great progress in the creative industry. You’ve been a strong supporter and a true 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 around the world, we’ve remained committed to celebrating and uniting Africa through music. AFRIMA is not just about music, it also resonates with real human stories. We’ve seen dreams come through, 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.

He further noted: “ 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.”

Head of Culture and Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport at the African Union Commission, Ms. Angela Martins, appreciated the governor’s efforts and support towards art and culture and reaffirmed African Union’s long-standing partnership with AFRIMA.

She noted: “The African Union has been proud to partner with AFRIMA since 2014. Over the years, we’ve supported the awards to make sure they live up to their promise to celebrate and reward African talent and music and to 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 wider vision of Agenda 2063, particularly in building the creative economy of the continent.”

Present at the visit to the governor include: Director of Brand Communications at AFRIMA Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi from South Africa; Chief Experience Officer (CXO) from Nigeria Ms. Adenrele Niyi; an Australian-Kenyan and Regional Director for Eastern Africa Mr. Mike John Strano; 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 official announcement of the 2025 AFRIMA host city will take place on May 13, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the African Union will present the host certificate.