As 1,216 artists, delegates, and members of the production team gather in the city for the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Nigeria has once again come to life. Nigeria has once again come alive as 1,216 artistes, delegates and members of the production team converge on the city for the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
AFRIMA Week officially began with the announcement of the figure at the Welcome Soirée for nominees and guests held at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence.
Speaking at the event, Mike Dada, president and executive producer of AFRIMA, stated that the attendance demonstrates the growing popularity of African music and how AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, is utilising the platform to strengthen the creative economies of African nations.
“This year’s AFRIMA has once again demonstrated the immense power and global pull of African music,” he declared.
As of right now, 1,216 artists, delegates, and members of our production team have reached Lagos. This figure comprises 301 delegates from throughout Africa and the diaspora, 732 artists and managers, and 183 technical production specialists who work nonstop behind the scenes. You can see how that figure can affect our economy and how beneficial Lagos’ tourism potential is. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Lagos State Government and other partners to bring this benefit to our city and economy.
“First, music is a potent instrument for inclusivity and integration. Second, it catalyzes world peace as well as peace on our continent. Of course, the creative industry’s economic growth is fuelled by music.
AFRIMA is about bringing people together, in our opinion. Colour is not visible to us. Whether you are white, black, blue, or green, what we see is talent. The humanity that each of us possesses is what matters to us. Our partnerships and purpose have been shaped by our shared humanity,” he continued.
Dada expressed gratitude to the Swedish government, First Bank, Guinness, Glenfiddich, and other AFRIMA partners as well as the Lagos State Government. “We do not take this partnership for granted,” he added, expressing gratitude to the UK Government for organising the event.
Speaking as well, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter praised the close musical ties that exist between the UK, Nigeria, and Africa. Afrobeats is “now dominating the charts in the UK and across the globe,” he said, adding that African musicians are seeing significant international success. Maintaining our relationship with music and other creative industries is crucial to us. The UK is dedicated to collaborations that promote reciprocal economic growth.
“Lagos is Africa’s cultural capital, a city where creativity lives loudly, where ideas scale rapidly, and where talent finds opportunity,” stated Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture. We are steadfast in our resolve to create a supportive environment where artists can flourish, work together, and successfully compete on the global stage through the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.
