Nigerian singer and songwriter Damilola Afolabi, popularly known as LAX, says Nigerian music has become a powerful driver of tourism and global recognition but is being held back by poor infrastructure and insecurity.
In an interview with ARISE News on Sunday, LAX stated that music has helped reshape global perceptions of Nigeria, especially during the festive season.
“With tourism, I think music has been like a big party in bringing a lot of people into Nigeria,” he said. “If you look at December, everyone wants to come because of our concerts, and that has helped them see Nigeria differently from what they had in mind.”
He noted that Nigerian artists have successfully exported culture abroad, helping to counter stereotypes. “Some people in the West used to think Nigerians only wear native clothes, don’t mix cultures or can’t fit in. But with our music, they’ve seen us wear nice outfits, mix cultures, eat their food and still be ourselves.”
However, LAX highlighted major challenges. He criticized the over-centralization of the industry in Lagos and pointed to security concerns as a barrier to expanding music tourism nationwide.
“Some artists don’t want to travel because of bad roads and insecurity,” he said. “A long time ago, I used to travel around Nigeria for shows, but now it’s not as safe as before.”
He also identified poor venues as a critical infrastructure gap. “We have the numbers, but we don’t have proper venues. In London, stadium shows have multiple entrances and the crowd settles in 30 minutes. In Nigeria, five hours after a show starts, people are still outside.”
LAX urged the government to invest in at least one world-class performance venue in Lagos. He also called for more shows and talent hunts in other states to decentralize the industry’s growth.
On collaborations, he said partnerships between artists and brands are essential for economic impact. “Imagine a Wizkid and Davido tour. These things make everything bigger.”
Despite the challenges, LAX believes that with the right investments in security, venues, and nationwide cultural development, Nigeria’s music industry could become an even stronger engine for tourism and economic growth.
