In a dazzling display of rhythm and diplomacy, Lagos State has cemented its status as Africa’s creative capital during the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2026.
The grand finale, held on Sunday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, was more than just a night of trophies; it was a strategic declaration of music as a “cultural power and economic force.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, addressed a global audience of industry titans and policymakers.
READ ALSO: INEC chair inspects Lagos CVR, promises ‘specialised agency’ status better welfare
She described African music as the “heartbeat of the continent’s identity” and a unifying language that is currently redrawing the map of global culture.
The commissioner emphasised that Lagos’s role as the official host city is part of a deliberate blueprint to invest in the creative economy.
AFRIMA 2026 was designed as an integrated ecosystem that brought together several key initiatives.
These included the African Music Business Summit, which served as a platform for industry dialogue and cross-border trade; the AFRIMA Music Village, created as a hub for community engagement and fan interaction; and a strong focus on capacity building aimed at youth empowerment and transforming talent into sustainable careers.
“The contemporary success of Afrobeats is evidence that Africa’s cultural products, when properly structured and supported, can lead on the world stage,” Benson-Awoyinka stated.
The awards night celebrated the diversity of African sound, with Nigerian stars dominating the major categories alongside talent from across the continent.
Rema from Nigeria won the Artiste of the Year award, while fellow Nigerian star Burna Boy clinched Album of the Year for “No Sign of Weakness.”
Nigeria also dominated the Song of the Year category, with Shallipopi emerging as the winner for his hit track “Laho.”
In the regional categories, Tanzanian singer Jux was named Best Male Artiste (East Africa), while Ghana’s Wendy Shay secured the Best Female Artiste (West Africa) award. Rising Nigerian talent Qing Madi was honoured as Most Promising Artiste.
Paying tribute to the “foundational giants,” the Commissioner traced the lineage of the modern Afrobeats movement back to legends like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Chief Ebenezer Obey, and Victor Uwaifo.
The founder of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, expressed deep appreciation to the state government for its consistent support of the arts.
READ ALSO: Lagos govt slashes vehicle plate replacement fee by 33%
He also acknowledged major partners including First Bank Plc, Guinness Nigeria, and the UK and Swedish Governments, whose collaboration helped project African music with “confidence and authenticity.”
The night concluded with the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to entertainment icons Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye, marking the end of a week-long celebration that proved Lagos is truly “the city where music meets economic capital.”
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news.
