Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially endorsed the hosting of the 2025 All-Africa Music Awards in Lagos, pledging the state government’s full support for the event and the broader creative sector.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing opportunities and an enabling environment for individuals in entertainment, fashion, and the arts to thrive.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave his assurance during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja, by the International Committee of AFRIMA and representatives of the African Union Commission.
He emphasized that Lagos would continue to serve as a launchpad for creative talents across Africa.
“It was not difficult for us to make entertainment, tourism and everything in the creative space one of our cardinal objectives. We are very intentional because we realise that the creative industry is a place where the youth with a dynamic population want to be. It is also the largest employer of labour in different ways and means. But more importantly, it also helps to tell the African story, a story that the entire world has not heard, to be able to take it up and work with it,” the governor stated.
“As a government, what we set out to do is to continue to give opportunity, hope and space for the creative people. We will give them the space and create a clear business opportunity and environment for them to thrive and do well. Lagos has become a destination for good reasons,” he added.
Expressing enthusiasm about hosting the prestigious pan-African music award, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the selection of Lagos as a recognition of the state’s capacity and readiness. “We know AFRIMA. It is indeed an honour that as strategic as we are, AFRIMA deemed it fit to hold its 2025 events in Lagos. It comes with responsibility and commitment. Lagos is able, and it is big enough to take on AFRIMA, and we will take it forward. We have the structures and infrastructures to be able to support AFRIMA.”
Earlier in the meeting, Ms. Angela Martins, Head of the Culture Department and Acting Director of Social Development, Culture and Sports at the African Union, expressed appreciation for Lagos’ past collaborations. She acknowledged the state’s vital role in supporting AFRIMA and called for continued partnership.
“Lagos has hosted AFRIMA awards before, and we are really thankful for the support. We are looking forward to support from the Lagos State Government in order to host AFRIMA 2025 and beyond,” she said.
AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mr. Mike Dada, also spoke at the event, highlighting the alignment between the awards and the THEMES+ agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration. He noted that the decision to host the 2025 edition in Lagos stemmed from the state’s consistent efforts and contributions to the entertainment industry.
“Lagos State is the mecca of entertainment, music and the film industry in the Middle East and Africa. We request the right partnership and support to make AFRIMA hosted in Lagos. We need institutional support and financial support to host over 1,500 artists and managers for the event, which we use to promote the cities of Africa and unite our people through music,” Dada said.
The 2025 AFRIMA is expected to bring together a wide array of artists and music professionals from across Africa, further cementing Lagos’ reputation as a cultural and creative hub on the continent.
