Francesca Odimgbe
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said his administration remains determined to keep Lagos open to the world, competitive in innovation, and firmly positioned as Africa’s leading hub for creative and cultural enterprise.
He said the Lagos State Government remains committed to partnering with the Federal Government and continental institutions to ensure that Africa’s creativity translates into sustainable value, shared prosperity, and global impact.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his goodwill message at the 9th edition of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, on Sunday night, said Lagos remains the engine room of Africa’s creative economy.
He said: “Lagos State’s engagement with the creative and cultural industry is strategic, deliberate, and driven by clear policy intent. Under our administration, the creative sector has been positioned as a core pillar of economic diversification, job creation, tourism development, and global competitiveness, fully aligned with our development framework, the THEMES+ Agenda.
“We have moved beyond rhetoric to action by embedding the creative economy into our broader economic strategy, supporting enabling legislation and institutional reforms, encouraging private sector participation, and positioning Lagos as a secure and scalable destination for creative investment.
“In Lagos, music is not just entertainment; it is economic infrastructure. In a city defined by its youthful population, our focus is to transform talent into sustainable careers by investing in skills development, creative hubs, and digital infrastructure that enable young people to convert creativity into long-term economic opportunity, not short-lived visibility.
“Every time African music dominates global charts, sells out international arenas, or shapes global culture, Lagos is a central part of that story. Our responsibility is to ensure that this global success is anchored at home through infrastructure, policy stability, and an enabling environment that attracts investment while empowering local talent.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the Federal Government’s support for AFRIMA and initiatives that advance Africa’s creative economy, saying, “Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the creative sector has been clearly recognised as a strategic driver of economic diversification, youth employment, and global competitiveness.
“This national focus, including the establishment of dedicated institutional support for the creative economy, reinforces the importance of platforms like AFRIMA that move African music beyond celebration into structured economic opportunity.
“I commend AFRIMA for nine years of vision, resilience, and leadership in elevating African music beyond celebration into serious economic conversation and continental collaboration. As we look ahead, Lagos State’s commitment remains clear and unwavering: to deepen investment in creativity, expand economic opportunities for our people, strengthen our institutions, and secure Lagos’ position as Africa’s undisputed creative and cultural capital, not just for today, but for generations to come.”
At the 9th All Africa Music Awards, Nigerian superstars Burna Boy, Rema, Yemi Alade, Shallipopi, Phyno, Qing Madi and Chella clinched major awards at the event.
Rema picked up three awards on the night, winning Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul.
Burna Boy won the Album of the Year for ‘No Sign of Weakness’, while Yemi Alade won Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song, ‘You Are’ (Iyanu: The Animated Series).
Shallipopi won Song of the Year with Laho and also picked up Best African Collaboration alongside Burna Boy. Phyno won Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, while fast-rising singer Chella emerged as African Fans’ Favourite. Qing Madi won Most Promising Artist of the Year.