Lagos has once again taken centre stage on the African music scene as no fewer than 1,216 artistes, delegates, and production crew arrived in the city for the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
The figure was disclosed during the Welcome Soirée for nominees and invited guests, held at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner. The event officially signalled the commencement of AFRIMA Week.
Speaking at the gathering, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, described the turnout as a clear reflection of the growing global appeal of African music and the expanding influence of the awards platform.
According to Dada, the arrivals include 732 artistes and their managers, 301 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora, and 183 technical production professionals responsible for delivering the awards and associated events.
He noted that the influx highlights the economic and cultural value of AFRIMA, particularly for host cities such as Lagos, which continues to benefit from increased tourism, hospitality, and creative industry activity.
Dada explained that AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, is deliberately positioning music as a driver of economic growth, social inclusion, and continental integration.
He added that beyond entertainment, African music plays a vital role in promoting peace, unity, and cross-cultural understanding both within the continent and globally.
Reaffirming AFRIMA’s values, Dada said the awards platform prioritises talent and shared humanity over race or background, describing the initiative as a connector of people, cultures, and ideas.
He expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and AFRIMA’s corporate and institutional partners, including First Bank, Guinness, Glenfiddich, the Swedish Government, and the United Kingdom Government, for their continued support.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, also spoke at the event, applauding the strengthening cultural ties between the UK, Nigeria, and Africa through music. He noted that African artistes, particularly in the Afrobeats genre, are recording unprecedented global success.
According to him, Afrobeats continues to dominate music charts in the UK and other parts of the world, underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration within the creative industries.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described Lagos as Africa’s cultural capital, emphasising the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment where creatives can thrive and compete globally.
AFRIMA Week is expected to feature a series of industry events, showcases, and networking sessions ahead of the main awards ceremony, further reinforcing Lagos’ position as a hub for African music and creativity.
