- Dada said the platform deliberately focuses on talent and shared humanity, rather than race or background
- He stressed that such numbers have significant economic implications, particularly for Lagos’ tourism and hospitality sectors
- According to Dada, the arrivals include 732 artistes and their managers, 301 delegates drawn from Africa and the diaspora
Lagos has once again taken centre stage in Africa’s entertainment landscape as hundreds of music stars and industry stakeholders arrive in the city for the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), turning the commercial hub into a hive of creative activity.
Eko Hot Blog reports that a total of 1,216 artistes, delegates and production crew members are already in Lagos for the continental awards ceremony, a figure disclosed during the official Welcome Soirée for nominees and guests held at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, an event that formally ushered in AFRIMA Week.
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Addressing guests at the gathering, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, described the turnout as clear evidence of the expanding influence of African music on the global stage.
He noted that the collaboration between AFRIMA and the African Union Commission continues to position the awards as a major driver of growth for Africa’s creative economy.
According to Dada, the arrivals include 732 artistes and their managers, 301 delegates drawn from Africa and the diaspora, and 183 technical and production experts working behind the scenes.
He stressed that such numbers have significant economic implications, particularly for Lagos’ tourism and hospitality sectors, adding that the city stands to benefit immensely from hosting the event.
He further explained that beyond celebration, AFRIMA is built on the belief that music is a unifying force capable of promoting inclusion, peace and economic development across borders.
Dada said the platform deliberately focuses on talent and shared humanity, rather than race or background, as the foundation of its partnerships and vision.
The AFRIMA boss expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and key partners, including First Bank, Guinness, Glenfiddich and the Swedish Government, while also thanking the UK Government for hosting the opening event, describing the partnership as invaluable.
In his remarks, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter highlighted the deepening cultural ties between the UK, Nigeria and the rest of Africa through music.
He observed that African sounds, particularly Afrobeats, have gained massive global traction, now topping charts in the UK and beyond, and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to creative industry partnerships that deliver shared economic benefits.
Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, reaffirmed the state’s position as Africa’s cultural heartbeat.
She said Lagos remains committed to fostering an environment where creatives can innovate, collaborate and compete globally, adding that the state will continue to invest in policies and platforms that allow talent to flourish on the world stage.
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