The Lagos State Government has sent a powerful signal to the global entertainment industry, revealing a staggering jump in its creative economy funding and a bold new “talent hunt” initiative designed to produce the next generation of global icons.
Speaking at the African Music Business Summit at Eko Hotel and Suites, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, detailed how the state is transforming into Africa’s undisputed creative powerhouse under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
The commissioner disclosed that Lagos has moved beyond mere rhetoric, backing its creative vision with unprecedented financial muscle.
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In the last financial year, the state expended ₦8.4 billion on concerts, training, and production support.
Funding has skyrocketed from ₦3.8 billion (pre-2023) to a current ₦18 billion and budget projections are now aggressively climbing toward the ₦40 billion mark to meet the rising global demand for African content.
A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the Lagos Talent Hunt. This strategic initiative aims to democratize access to high-end production tools for grassroots artists.
Key features of the programme include the repurposing of government-owned theatres into state-of-the-art music studios and cinemas.
Emerging artists will be given cost-free access to these facilities, allowing them to record and produce professional-grade music at no expense.
Explaining the programme’s global ambition, the Permanent Secretary, Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, said the aim was to “create more Burna Boys and more Davidos — global icons trained with taxpayers’ money.”
The state government emphasised that it is no longer just a regulator but a strategic partner.
Benson-Awoyinka highlighted that Lagos has already supported over 140 creative projects and hosted free public events attended by more than 100,000 citizens.
The ministry urged practitioners to move away from the “sidelines” and actively engage by submitting proposals, following open invitations for creative organisations to partner with the ministry.
It also called on creatives to participate in policy discussions that shape industry laws.
Additionally, the ministry encouraged young people to monitor its official social media platforms for announcements on new funding windows and training opportunities.
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The summit, a flagship event of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), brought together global music executives, investors, and policymakers.
It served as a reminder that while the music “vibes” are essential, the “business” of music—infrastructure, copyright, and investment—is what will sustain Africa’s global competitiveness.
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