Sanwo-Olu Declares Lagos Engine Room of Africa’s Creative Economy
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading hub for creative and cultural enterprise, declaring the state the engine room of the continent’s creative economy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that his government remains determined to keep Lagos open to the world, competitive in innovation, and firmly aligned with global creative and cultural trends.
The governor spoke during his goodwill message at the 9th edition of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), held on Sunday night at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said the Lagos State Government would continue to partner with the Federal Government and continental institutions to ensure that Africa’s creativity translates into sustainable value, shared prosperity and global impact.
“Lagos State’s engagement with the creative and cultural industry is strategic, deliberate, and driven by clear policy intent,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“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.”
The governor said his administration had moved beyond rhetoric to action by embedding the creative economy into Lagos’ broader economic strategy through enabling legislation, institutional reforms and increased private sector participation.
He described music as more than entertainment, noting that it now serves as critical economic infrastructure in a city driven by a youthful population.
“In Lagos, music is not just entertainment; it is economic infrastructure. 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,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos plays a central role in the global success of African music, stressing the need to anchor that success at home through policy stability, infrastructure development and an enabling investment environment.
The governor also acknowledged the Federal Government’s support for AFRIMA and initiatives aimed at advancing Africa’s creative economy.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has recognised the creative sector 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,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu commended AFRIMA for nine years of leadership in elevating African music into a serious economic and continental collaboration platform.
He reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to deepening investment in creativity, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening institutions and securing Lagos’ position as Africa’s undisputed creative and cultural capital.
Meanwhile, Nigerian artistes dominated the 9th All-Africa Music Awards, with Burna Boy, Rema, Yemi Alade, Shallipopi, Phyno, Qing Madi and Chella clinching major awards.
Rema emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night, securing three awards, including Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul.
Burna Boy won 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 from 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, Chella emerged as African Fans’ Favourite, while Qing Madi won Most Promising Artist of the Year.
