- AFRIMA 2026: Lagos Reinforces Creative Leadership
- Positions Music as Cultural Diplomacy
- Stressed the need to nurture emerging talents
Lagos State has reaffirmed its position as a leading force in Africa’s creative and cultural landscape, leveraging the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2026 to promote African music as a catalyst for cultural diplomacy, youth empowerment and economic development, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking at the grand finale of the awards held on Sunday, 11 January 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described African music as the soul of the continent’s identity and a unifying force with growing global influence.
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She noted that Lagos’ selection as the official Host City was a reflection of the state government’s deliberate investment in the creative economy, with music positioned as a strategic sector capable of driving innovation, job creation and international relevance.
According to the commissioner, AFRIMA 2026 extended beyond an awards ceremony, featuring a series of industry-focused engagements such as the AFRIMA Press Conference, African Music Business Summit and the AFRIMA Music Village, all designed to promote dialogue, skills development and cross-border collaboration within the music industry.
Tracing the evolution of African music, Benson-Awoyinka paid tribute to iconic pioneers including Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Bobby Benson, Victor Uwaifo, Victor Olaiya, Dan Maraya Jos, King Sunny Ade and Chief Ebenezer Obey, noting that their contributions laid the foundation for the global rise of Afrobeats.
She said the worldwide success of Afrobeats demonstrated Africa’s capacity to produce cultural content that competes favourably on the global stage when supported by the right structures and policies.
The commissioner also stressed the need to nurture emerging talents, emphasizing that creativity must be matched with discipline, purpose and institutional backing to build sustainable careers and lasting legacies.
She called for stronger collaboration between government, industry stakeholders and creative institutions, adding that early talent discovery and community-based engagement are critical to the long-term growth of Africa’s entertainment sector.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Benson-Awoyinka said Lagos would continue to implement policies and partnerships that elevate culture as both heritage and economic capital.
Also speaking at the event, AFRIMA founder, Mr. Mike Dada, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for hosting AFRIMA 2026 and for its consistent support of the creative industry.
He acknowledged the contributions of AFRIMA’s partners and sponsors, including First Bank Plc, Guinness Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Swedish governments in Nigeria, Utilita, GovenTurk, Union Service Agency and several media organisations across Africa and beyond.
The ceremony featured vibrant performances by leading African artistes, celebrating the diversity and richness of the continent’s music. Awards were presented across numerous categories, recognising excellence in genres such as Pop, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Reggae and Dancehall, Traditional and Contemporary African Music, R&B, Songwriting, Music Video of the Year, Soundtrack in Film and Dance Choreography.
Top government officials, industry leaders and cultural stakeholders were in attendance, underscoring the growing recognition of African music as a powerful driver of cultural pride and economic opportunity.
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