FG backs AFRIMA 2025 as culture minister inaugurates LOC, pledges partnership with Lagos

By Editor

AFRICA is set for another unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and creativity as the Federal Government through Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has officially backed and endorsed the 2025 edition of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which will take place in Lagos from November 25 – 30. President Tinubu’s endorsement came in response to a letter from the African Union Commission (AUC) requesting Nigeria’s collaboration for the next edition of the prestigious music awards show.

To follow up on the president’s nod, the Federal Government has immediately swung into action, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by setting up an inter ministerial Local Organising Committee (LOC) to work with the official host city, Lagos, African Union and International Committee of AFRIMA to plan and deliver an historic event that has as theme, ‘Unstoppable Africa.’

Speaking during the inauguration of the Federal Government’s LOC in her office in Abuja on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the ministry was fully ready to work hand-in-hand with the Lagos State Government and the International Committee of AFRIMA to host what she described as the best AFRIMA yet. According to Minister Musawa, AFRIMA perfectly aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of leveraging the creative industry as a key driver of economic growth, national development, and social re-engineering.

“This is more than just an awards show,” Musawa said. “It is a major platform to create jobs, promote tourism, celebrate African talents, and tell our positive stories authentically through music to the world. We are excited to work with the Lagos State government, the AFRIMA team, and the African Union to deliver a world-class event.”

Also, speaking at the event, the Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy in the ministry, Mrs. Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, conveyed the official message of President Tinubu’s approval and praised his support for the industry, when she said, “On behalf of the honorable minister and the permanent secretary of the ministry and our agencies, we appreciate the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting us the opportunity, Nigeria opportunity, to host this historic event during this administration, and we also thank the honourable minister for providing a platform for us to collaborate with AFRIMA for this event to come true in November this year, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well, that is co-chair with our minister, to make this dream come to pass.”

Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa and President of AFRIMA, Mike Dada

The newly inaugurated Federal Government‘s LOC for AFRIMA 2025 includes representatives from key federal ministries such as Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Information and National Orientation, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Youth, Education and Aviation, among others. Also represented are top government agencies, including the Nigerian Film Corporation, National Film and Video Censors Board, and the National Council for Arts and Culture. Delegates from AFRIMA International Committee and the African Union are also on board.

President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its swift response and full support, saying, “We thank President Tinubu for his quick and visionary approval and backing of AFRIMA 2025. This is not just an event approval. It’s a loud statement that the Nigerian government values the culture and creative industry and its power to promote unity and prosperity across Africa.”

He also expressed gratitude to Lagos State Government for accepting to be the official host city and for its valuable partnership, as well as its deliberate investment in the creative industry.

“Nigeria has always been a creative and cultural powerhouse,” Dada said. “With this support, we are confident that this year’s AFRIMA will be an unforgettable celebration of African talent and creativity for the whole world to see. It is fantastic that the Federal Government has come on board, and we are happy that the minister has mentioned that all of us are going to work together with the host city, Lagos State, to deliver the best AFRIMA in history.”

The awards returned to Nigeria after a successful event held in the city of Dakar, Senegal, hosted by President Macky Sall in 2024, with the 2025 edition scheduled to be held from November 25 to 30 in Lagos.

Broadcast live to 84 countries and in partnership with the African Union since 2014, AFRIMA is a global music awards aimed at developing, rewarding and promoting African music and talents globally via its seven core pillars of Awards Ceremony, Music festivals, The AFRIMA Kreative Academy, Business Music Hub, Talent Discovery and Promotion, Policy debate and Advisory and Advocacy.

The main AFRIMA events’ week will feature star-studded and world-class activities from November 25 -27 (Diamond Showcase), November 26 (Welcome Soiree), November 27-28 (Africa Music Business Summit), November 28 (AFRIMA Music Village – an evening of non-stop music and live performances from African artistes and nominees), November 29 (Nominees and Industry Party), November 30 (Award ceremony).

Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika (left); Managing Director, Relentless Media and Head, AFRIMA International Media Committee, Steve Ayorinde; Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy Department, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Lead Consultant, PRM Africa Marketing & Communications and President/Executive Producer of AfRIMA, Mike Dada; Chief Experience Officer, CXO, AFRIMA, Adenrele Niyi; Associate Co-producer, AFRIMA, Efe Omorogbe and member, AFRIMA International Committee, Kenny (Keke) Ogungbe at the inauguration of FG’s LOC for AFRIMA 2025 on Wednesday… in Abuja