The Lagos State Government has kicked off the countdown to the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), reaffirming the city’s position as the heartbeat of the continent’s creative economy.
At a high-level press conference held on Wednesday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, declared that Lagos is ready to welcome the world for a week-long celebration of African musical excellence.
The festival runs from 7 to 11 January and features a packed programme that combines industry-focused engagements with world-class entertainment.
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Activities begin on Thursday, 8 January, with the Africa Music Business Summit at Eko Hotels & Suites, followed later the same day by Music Icons’ Night, also at the venue.
On Friday, 9 January, the spotlight shifts to the AFRIMA Music Village, a star-studded concert scheduled to take place at Ikeja City Mall.
The celebrations continue on Saturday, 10 January, with the Nominees and Industry Party, the venue for which will be announced in due course.
The festival will culminate on Sunday, 11 January, with the 9th AFRIMA Awards Grand Finale, to be held at Eko Hotels & Suites.
Benson-Awoyinka emphasised that hosting AFRIMA is more than just a ceremony—it is a strategic move to use arts and culture as drivers for international engagement and economic growth.
She particularly lauded the British High Commission for its role in fostering creative diplomacy.
“Lagos State remains Africa’s cultural and creative capital,” the commissioner stated.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment that supports creativity, encourages investment, and positions Lagos as a hub for arts, entertainment, and cultural tourism.”
The state government provided 6,000 free tickets to enable young people to attend the Music Village concert.
The awards ceremony will enjoy global visibility, as it will be broadcast live to audiences in more than 84 countries.
The event has also recorded massive participation, with over 16 leading artists, 277 crew members, and more than 400 delegates already arriving in the state.
The President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, revealed that Lagos was selected as the host city following extensive deliberations by the African Union (AU).
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He noted that the event aligns with the AU’s Agenda 2063, using music as a platform for peace-building and continental integration.
Co-producer Olisa Adibua praised the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for its “practical support,” noting that Lagos doesn’t just talk about the creative economy—it actively funds and builds the infrastructure to sustain it.
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