- Local Organising Committee inaugurated
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown his weight behind this year’s edition of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which holds in Lagos from November 25-30.
In response to a letter from the African Union Commission (AUC) requesting Nigeria’s collaboration, the president not only endorsed the awards, he directed the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately swing into action by setting up an inter-ministerial Local Organising Committee (LOC) to work with the organisers and host city, Lagos to deliver a historic event under the theme: ‘Unstoppable Africa’.
Speaking during the inauguration of the LOC at her office in Abuja on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, said her ministry is ready to work hand-in-hand with the Lagos State government and International Committee of AFRIMA to host the best award ceremony.
To her, 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 award 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, Mrs. Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy in the ministry, said: “On behalf of the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and our agencies, we appreciate the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for granting us the opportunity to host this historic event. 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 Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, that is co-chair with our Minister, to make this dream come to pass.”
The newly inaugurated LOC members include representatives from key federal ministries such as Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Information and National Orientation; Foreign Affairs; Interior; Youth; Education; and Aviation.
Also represented on the committee are top government agencies including Nigerian Film Corporation, National Film and Video Censors Board, and National Council for Arts and Culture. Delegates from the AFRIMA International Committee and the African Union are also on board.
President/Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, expressed deep appreciation to the federal government for its support and swift response.
“We thank President Tinubu for his quick and visionary approval and backing of AFRIMA 2025,” he said. “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 thanked the Lagos State government for accepting to be the host city and for its valuable partnership, as well as its deliberate investment in the creative industry.
“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 Lagos, the host city, to deliver the best AFRIMA in history.”
This year’s AFRIMA 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), November 29 (Nominees and Industry Party), and November 30 (Award ceremony).