Events

Governor Sanwo-Olu officially declares Lagos ready to host AFRIMA 2025

Published

1 year ago

May 1, 2025

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially announced the state’s readiness to host the 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), pledging full support to showcase Africa’s creative and cultural richness

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has formally declared Lagos State’s preparedness to host the continent and the world for the 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) ceremony.

Also read: Host city for 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to be unveiled on may 13

Receiving a high-powered delegation from the African Union (AU) and the AFRIMA International Committee, Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed Lagos’ commitment to rolling out the red carpet as the creative and cultural capital of Africa.

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that hosting AFRIMA 2025 aligns perfectly with his administration’s vision to establish the creative and tourism industry as a major pillar of the state’s development agenda, recognizing significant investments made in this sector as part of the THEMES+ agenda.

He lauded the vibrant creative ecosystem in Lagos, which nurtures talent, attracts global attention, and drives economic growth.

“We are happy to receive the AFRIMA team; we will do it and we will be part of this, this is one initiative we are proud to accommodate,” Governor Sanwo-Olu stated, assuring the delegation of the state’s full cooperation.

One of the key pillars of our administration’s development agenda is the creative industry… Our packed creative calendar is a strategic effort to position the state as Africa’s cultural and creative capital.” – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Ms. Angela Martins, Head of Culture and Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport at the AU Commission, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his consistent support of the arts and reaffirmed the AU’s long-standing partnership with AFRIMA since 2014, highlighting its role in promoting African talent and cultural values, as well as the AU’s Agenda 2063.

AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his administration’s dedication to the creative industry, noting AFRIMA’s potential to generate significant opportunities for tourism, entertainment, job creation, and economic growth for the host city.

He emphasized that Lagos, as the mecca of entertainment in the Middle East and Africa, is more than ready to host an unforgettable AFRIMA 2025 in November.

The African Union and AFRIMA International Committee will officially announce and present the host certificate for the 2025 AFRIMA on May 13 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”