The African film industry witnessed a cinematic spectacle as virtual cinema powerhouse Circuits, in collaboration with Euphoria 360, unveiled “Agesinkole: Kings of Thieves, Part 2” on the big screen.
The epic sequel captivated movie lovers and is already being hailed as one of the most ambitious and visually stunning film projects to emerge from the African continent.
Renowned as Africa’s premier virtual cinema platform, Circuits continues to redefine how African stories are told and consumed globally.
Produced by celebrated actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo, the epic Yoruba sequel delivers powerful storytelling, stunning visuals, and rich cultural depth, quickly earning its place as one of Nollywood’s most ambitious recent releases.
Known for redefining how African stories are experienced, Circuits is rolling out the film through community cinema activations across the South West, taking premium cinema directly to grassroots and underserved communities.
The project was co-produced by Circuits, Euphoria 360, and Hawk Studios, with Blue Pictures serving as the official distributor highlighting a strong collaboration driving African cinema forward.
Speaking at the premiere, Chief Operating Officer of Circuits, Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, said the project was built around access and inclusion.
“This is about giving everyone, regardless of location, the chance to experience great African storytelling on the big screen,” she noted.
She also revealed that Circuits, which officially launched in December 2024, is marking its first anniversary with the co-production of the epic sequel.
The premiere was a star-studded affair, drawing top Nollywood names including Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta, Mercy Aigbe, Yemi Solade, Jaye Kuti, Alhaji Kareem Adepoju, Hon. Kolawole Ajeyemi, Segun Arinze, Zaaki Azzay, and many others too numerous to mention.
With strong buzz and a community-driven rollout, Agesinkole: Kings of Thieves, Part 2 is set to make waves across the South West and beyond, as Circuits continues to champion bold, accessible African storytelling.
With optimism she declared that Agesinkole: Kings of Thieves, Part 2 is poised to become one of Africa’s biggest film exports yet, as Circuits positions itself at the forefront of a global renaissance in African cultural storytelling.
Media personality Toke Makinwa has claimed that women are more likely to cheat than men, arguing that they are simply more discreet about it.
Speaking on a recent episode of her podcast, Toke Moments, Makinwa said women have a greater propensity to cheat because of the relative ease with which they can do so.
She contrasted this with men, whom she described as often committing substantial resources, time and effort when engaging in infidelity.
She said, “Cheating is not a dealbreaker for me but it comes with a caveat. When I say it some people think that I am encouraging cheating. No. As I grow older, I realised that it is not just men who can cheat. Why are we making these men feel so special as if it is only them?
“Do you know how easy it is for a woman to cheat? It is even easier for us. But men will spend money, efforts and time to cheat.
“But we, we are the ones receiving. It is easier for women to cheat. You know, we have work boyfriend. A woman not cheating is not because she cannot cheat, it is probably because she has one thing you lack, restraint.
Actress Jumoke Odetola has announced the acquisition of a new home in Lekki Pride II, Lagos.
In a post on her Instagram page, Odetola expressed gratitudes to God, attributing the achievement to divine intervention.
The actress described the new home as an “11th hour miracle”, thanking a home property for their role in facilitating the purchase.
Odetola’s post was accompanied by photos of the new property, showcasing her excitement and joy.
“One of God’s blessings to me this year. Grateful heart. Everything I own, I owe to God Almighty, the giver of blessings that come with no sorrow and peace of mind. Thank you, @zylushomes, for upholding your watchword integrity.
“A home that comes with all the right documents. A home that comes with peace of mind. Say hello to the latest landlord at Lekki Pride II. God did @zylushomes is the vessel. God of last minute miracle has visited me & this is my 11th hour miracle!”, she wrote.
Actor IK Ogbonna has spoken out against alleged unfair practices in Nigeria’s cinema industry, claiming that Ini Edo’s film, “A Very Dirty Christmas”, which he starred in, has been subjected to manipulative tactics by cinema houses.
In an Instagram post, Ogbonna stated that showtimes have been shifted, slots replaced, and even air conditioning turned off in halls showing the film, making it challenging for producers to recover their investments.
He condemned these actions, urging cinema houses and producers involved in these tactics to cease, warning that they are hurting the industry.
He wrote, “Politics in Nigeria’s cinema has to stop. This message is for the cinema houses directly and also for the producers who are influencing these politics. We’ve poured our heart, soul, and countless hours into bringing ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ to the big screen, and it’s unacceptable that we’ve encountered these manipulative tactics.
“Showtimes have been shifted countless times, our slots replaced, and even the air conditioning turned off in halls showing our film. Celebrities doing meet-and-greets have had negative experiences. And let’s not forget the attendees behind the counter who manipulate and influence customers, steering them away from certain films. This kind of bias is unacceptable.
“To the other producers involved in these tactics: you know yourselves. We won’t name names, but it’s time to stop. You’re part of this industry, and by playing these games, you’re hurting it. The politics is as clear as day and night. Stop now so we can have a fair and thriving cinema environment.
“Producers invest heavily and simply want a fair chance to share their work and recover their investments. Let’s put an end to these dirty and ridiculous practices in Nigerian cinema. #FairCinema AVeryDirtyChristmas”.
Ogbonna had also defended the creative rights of artists, arguing that external bodies should not dictate what they can or cannot do.
He cited the existence of the Film Censors Board, which reviews and approves films before release, as an example of the existing regulatory framework.
The actor’s comments come in the wake of threats from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) against Ini Edo over the movie title, which Ogbonna deemed unfair, particularly since the film has been performing well nationwide.
Ogbonna questioned the timing of CAN’s reaction, stating that their silence during the film’s promotional phase was notable.
Actress Nkechi Blessing has announced her decision to take a break from film production, citing significant financial losses.
According to her, she has spent over 80 million naira producing movies since September, without receiving any substantial returns.
Nkechi wrote, “I no do again abeg…I have spent over 80 million naira producing movies since September and I haven’t gotten 1m back…I no do again abeg make I go back to flying round d world…As una no gree watch film if the Movie is not over hyped,I don try the ones we were there for self no even fit help…I am done abeg!”
Her announcement has sparked a wave of support from fellow celebrities, including Tonto Dikeh and Eriata Ese, who are urging her to remain resilient in the face of adversity.
Tonto Dikeh emphasised the importance of perseverance, “Give up? Who is permitting that sin? Not on my watch.
“What do we do/Post? Send it to your friends. We will Share it everywhere. You are a helper and we will do the same for you effortlessly. We don’t accept defeat here. We don’t even condone it.
“Spit it out and declare “I forgive myself for thinking less of what God can do with the work of His hands my life. We rise. We push. We win”.
While Eriata Ese reminded Nkechi that success rarely comes easily and that consistency is key.
“Remember that good things don’t come easy, it may look like a waste now but in time to come you will remember today and say “I thought it wouldn’t work” na who give up Fk up, consistency is key don’t forget”, she wrote.
The actress’ struggles highlight the challenges faced by many in the Nigerian film industry, where production costs are high and returns are often uncertain.
The industry has seen significant growth in recent years, but it remains plagued by issues such as piracy, poor distribution networks, and limited access to funding.
In 2025, a mix of established veterans and rapidly rising talents dominated the Nigerian entertainment scene, driven by major film and music releases, significant awards recognition, and scandals. These stars dominated the entertainment scene with chart-topping anthems, held sold-out concerts and featured in various viral moments. As always, the Nigerian entertainment scene was nothing short of electric in 2025. Commanding global attention and pushing creative boundaries, The Nation spotlights the standout Nigerian stars who defined 2025 across the various spheres of entertainment.
Regina Daniel
Regina Daniel’s influence in 2025 is one that can’t be ignored for many reasons. Though she didn’t release a new film neither did she feature in the biggest blockbusters of the year but her home and marriage were constant stories in the media almost all through the year. Earlier reported cracks in her marriage finally opened and gave way for separation between her beautiful self and her husband, Ned Nwoko. Her separation from Nwoko still remains one of the nastiest scandals that rocked 2025.
Adekunle Gold
For 2025, Adekunle Kosoko aka Adekunle Gold enjoyed a steady and impactful year. All year round, Adekunle Gold had one musical performance or song to keep the public and listening audiences reminded of his presence on the music front. His projects and collaborations earned deep listener loyalty and his music continued to be featured on key playlists and curated lists throughout the year. His latest album ‘Fuji’ was released to rave reviews, and drove social media trends across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. His daughter’s appearance and introduction ahead of his performance with an orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall in London, United Kingdom, was also well received by fans.
Omoni Oboli
A year after hosting her son’s wedding and welcoming her first grandchild, Nollywood star, Omoni Oboli returned to make a statement on the Nigerian film scene. Shuttling between Canada and Nigeria, Oboli took a backseat from acting to focus on producing some of the big films that rocked 2025. She focused on YouTube as the streaming platform and earned herself several success stripes. This year marked a significant boost in her visibility and influence within the industry, even as an established veteran, largely through her masterful maximisation of the Omoni Oboli TV YouTube channel. By focusing more on production than acting, she released over 30 movies on the platform, regularly uploading new content and driving subscriber growth while amassing millions of views. Her consistent strategy—blending full-length films, teasers, trailers, and live premieres—catapulted the channel to Nigeria’s number one spot.
Her creation, ‘Love in Every Word’, and its sequel, ‘Love in Every Word: The Wedding’ became viral sensations, with the original alone surpassing 30 million views, and becoming the most searched Nollywood movie of the year on Google. The two romantic dramas explored love, culture and personal growth and created memes, and slangs like ‘Achalugo’ and ‘Odogwu.’
Davido
In 2025, David Adeleke aka Davido released his fifth studio album, ‘5ive’ to a highly anticipating fan and audience that thronged streaming platforms to make the album one of the most streamed Nigerian projects of the year, with over 320 million streams on Spotify alone. With this, Davido’s unmistakable influence became obvious. The success of the album overtook major contemporaries and confirmed his enduring commercial clout. The project earned a record-breaking opening day, having about 15 million global Spotify streams within 24 hours of its release.
Funke Akindele
In 2025, Funke Akindele further pushed herself to remain Nollywood’s most bankable creative force. Rising from her previous success, Akindele entered 2025 raking in millions of Nigerian Naira and smiling to the bank. All through the year, Akindele featured in some of the biggest Nollywood blockbusters and kept raking in volumes of awards for her success and record breaking feats. She further consolidated her dominance with the movie, ‘Behind the Scenes’, which was released in December 2025. The movie is already a massive opener with over N200m in its first weekend, making it the biggest opening of 2025 in Nollywood.
Beyond acting, her influence showed in how her movies shaped conversations around women, class mobility, marriage, and modern Nigerian family life.
Asake
Asake began 2025 on a slow pact after which he refused to sign another deal with Olamide’s YBNL after the expiry of his previous deal. Soon after, he was enmeshed in a family scandal after his father took ill and called him out for neglecting him. Some of his managers also took swipes at him at different points but despite all these, Asake remained focused on making a deep and sustained impact in 2025. Soon, he became a feature in several international fashion events and featured on several records – both locally and internationally. With this feat, he remained consistent among the most streamed artists on Nigerian Spotify and secured multiple albums inside the platform’s Top 10.
His catalog enjoyed heavy rotation all year round and he kept performing at live shows and festivals.
In rounding off his year, he collaborated with energy drink manufacturer, Red Bull, to stage an iconic performance at the Red Bull Symphonic in New York, United States. The performance remains not only his major highlight of the year but also a historic feat as he emerged the first African to grace the Symphonic stage.
Priscilla Ojo-Mkambala
Priscilla Ojo, now Priscilla Mkambala is the beloved daughter of Nollywood actress and producer, Iyabo Ojo. Making her name as a social media influencer and a trendsetter, Priscilla further heightened her leverage as a powerhouse in lifestyle, beauty, and fashion influence on social media in 2025. 2025 is incomplete without the mention of Priscilla, whose lavish wedding to Tanzanian singer Juma Jux was remains the year’s biggest social media wedding. Priscilla’s influence was recognised continentally when she was crowned Top Beauty Influencer at the 2025 African Golden Awards. Her voice in fashion and lifestyle spaces helped shape consumer trends and opened doors to major brand partnerships. She also signed a number of brand ambassador deals and earned her little tot an endorsement, all in the course of the year.
Wizkid
For many of his fans and cult-followers on social media, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, reclaimed the top spot as Nigeria’s most-streamed artiste on Spotify in 2025. He reclaimed the spot without many seeing him coming. He also topped the Spotify Wrapped list for Nigeria while his album, ‘Morayo,’ was named the most-streamed album of the year in Nigeria.
Wizkid’s dominance extended beyond local borders. His album was also cited as among the most-streamed in Sub-Saharan Africa on Apple Music’s year-end chart. It’s no doubt that in 2025, Wizkid collaborated with more artists than he has done in previous years, hence, earning him more influence and dominance on the music space globally.
Burna Boy
Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, continued in his trademark footsteps of cementing his heavyweight status on the music scene and creating fuss and scene in his private and celebrated lifestyle. His album ‘No Sign of Weakness’ surpassed 250 million streams on Spotify, making it one of the year’s top-performing Nigerian releases.
Burna Boy cemented his growth on the international scene as he was highlighted as Nigeria’s most-exported artist globally, reflecting his strong international appeal and wide Diaspora reach. As a Grammy-winning figure and global ambassador of afrobeats, his tours, festival appearances, and cross-continental collaborations kept him at the frontlines of African music.
However, as expected by many, Burna Boy grabbed the headlines in 2025 for some wrong reasons. Despite becoming a constant feature and appeal to the international audience, he punctured the growth when he embarrassed and sent a couple out of his show for sleeping and in another space, kicking a fan trying to get a hug.
Rema
Divine Ikubor, aka Rema, began 2025 strong coming off his huge success in 2024. He emerged as the most streamed Nigerian artist globally on YouTube Music in the first quarter of 2025 with over 220 million streams, led by enduring hits such as ‘Calm Down’ and new releases like ‘Baby (Is It a Crime)’. Throughout the year, his blend of afrobeats and global pop sensibilities kept him visible on international charts and playlists. Rema also made headlines purchasing mansions and expensive cars in the course of the year.
Uzor Arukwe
In 2025, the career Uzor Arukwe has been building for over a decade reached an impressive height. Arukwe earned widespread acclaim for his commanding screen presence and ability to fully embody complex, layered characters. Arukwe’s performances in 2025 releases like ‘Love in Every Word: The Wedding’, where he portrayed the confident, affectionate ‘Odogwu,’ and Chief Odogwu in ‘Asa and Odogwu’, and ‘Behind the Scenes’ cemented his reign in Nollywood.
Bambam
Bamike ‘Bambam’ Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, who first gained recognition for her participation in the 2018 Big Brother Naija Season 3, has masterfully transitioned from reality TV stardom to established acting credibility in Nollywood. 2025 will go down in her memory as the year she earned widespread respect for her authentic, emotionally resonant acting performances.
In 2025, her big break came early with her lead role as Chioma in Omoni Oboli’s ‘Love in Every Word’, opposite Uzor Arukwe. Throughout 2025, she appeared in other notable projects including ‘Meadowbrook Hearts’, ‘Trap of Temptation’, ‘My Christmas Love Story’, ‘Dappa’, ‘Wild Fire’, and ‘The Virgin Bride,’ which showcases her growing range.
Gaise Baba
For 2025, Gospel artiste, Akinade Ibuoye, aka Gaise Baba achieved mainstream digital dominance in an unexpected twist to the Nigerian music narrative. His viral anthem, ‘No Turning Back II’ became Nigeria’s most-viewed music video on YouTube in 2025, accumulating over 41 million views and placed Gaise Baba ahead of many of his contemporaries. The song soon became a regular tune at parties and churches.
Peller
Habeeb Hamzat aka Peller, had a good year as a TikToker in Nigeria. Aside from the obvious fact that he had a breakthrough year on TikTok where he has over 13 million followers, he raked in so much funds and got featured on various gigs including films and cameo appearances in music videos. His on and off relationship with another social media personality, Jarvis, also propped up his influence, especially when he proposed marriage. Towards the end of 2025, Peller got himself in trouble for a viral video where he engaged in reckless driving and crashed his multimillion naira car. Shortly before the crash, he had threatened to kill himself over his latest breakup with Jarvis.
Tems
Like many of her male counterparts, Temilade Openiyi, aka Tems, continued to extend her global footprint in 2025. In February 2025, she won herself a Grammy in the Best Music Performance category with her song, ‘Love Me Jeje’. She remained one of the most-streamed female artistes in Nigeria and a consistent presence in global playlists. She also focused on championing girl-child issues and providing solutions in her own corner.
Timini Egbuson
In 2025, Timini Egbuson came gun blazing and prepared to not only make a mark but leave his footprints on the sands of time in the year in focus. He appeared in multiple cinema and streaming releases, and his performances consistently sparked debate and admiration.
In February 2025, he donned the hat of a producer to release his own movie, ‘Reel Love’, on Valentine’s Day. The move marked his debut as an executive producer, while also starring as the lead. The feat achieved a record-breaking box office success, grossing over N40m on its opening day, making it the second-highest Nollywood debut ever, and over N99m across the opening weekend. The film eventually surpassed N300m.
Ayra Starr
Mavins recording artist, Ayra Starr attained one of her desired heights in music by emerging the most-streamed female artiste in Nigeria in 2025 according to Spotify’s Wrapped data. Her music and style continued to resonate widely, and her 2025 singles, such as ‘Hot Body’, ‘All the Love’, and ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ (featuring Rema) enjoyed heavy rotation both domestically and abroad.
William Benson
Calling 2025 the year of William Benson would not be out of place. The Nollywood actor sealed his name and made his mark in the Kemi Adetiba produced Netflix series, ‘To Kill A Monkey.’ With the release of the film, Benson’s popularity rose through the roof with many roles begging for his attention.
Bimbo Ademoye
Bimbo Ademoye’s 2025 run was defined by hard work and versatility. Having made a mark and found her voice in film production on YouTube, Ademoye featured in a prolific mix of romantic comedies, dramas, and feel-good films, many of which premiered on her YouTube channel – Bimbo Ademoye TV. Her stories resonated strongly with online audiences and she kept amassing views to her channel and her films.
Daniel Etim-Effiong
In 2025, Daniel Etim-Effiong maintained a strong presence across both cinema and streaming platforms, featuring in several romantic titles and other genres of films. Towards the end of 2025, Daniel starred in and made his feature directorial debut with ‘The Herd,’ The film premiered in cinemas in October before landing on Netflix in November. Throughout the year, Etim-Effiong’s roles often positioned him as the emotional anchor until ‘The Herd’ was released.
Toyin Abraham
Like 2023 and 2024, Toyin Abraham’s 2025 was marked by cinematic success. Her historical epic ‘Iyalode’, which premiered in June, became an instant box-office hit, grossing nearly N300m in its first five weeks. Her influence also extended into social media. Her latest movie, ‘Oversabi Aunty’ has also been getting a lot of buzz.
Hilda Baci
Chef and lifestyle influencer, Hilda Baci had a good year round in 2025 with loads of endorsement deals and another attempt at a Guinness World Record.
The 2023 GWR holder returned in 2025 to dominate digital discourse with the world’s largest pot of jollof rice, cooking 8,780kg in Lagos and feeding over 20,000 people. Her campaign for the feat trended across platforms, becoming one of the most discussed Nigerian social media topics of the year. Announcing her new record some days after, the Guinness World Record wrote on X, “New record: Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. She successfully emerged as the only Nigerian that has achieved a double GWR within the space of two years.
Nigerian cinemas operate on a multi-faceted business model, generating revenue primarily through ticket sales and concessions, with proceeds shared among key stakeholders, including government, cinema operators, distributors, and producers.
This article delves into the intricacies of Nigeria’s cinema revenue model, highlighting the various revenue streams and the structured sharing formula.
Revenue Streams: Where the Money Flows
Nigerian cinemas rely on three primary revenue streams:
1. Box Office (Ticket Sales): The primary revenue driver, especially for hit films, ticket sales account for the largest share of cinema revenue.
2. Concessions: Sales of snacks, food, and drinks at high markups contribute significantly to cinema profits.
3. Advertising: Screen advertisements shown before the movie and during intermissions provide an additional revenue stream.
The money generated from ticket sales is distributed through a “cash waterfall” process, with the following sequence:
1. Taxes: 10% of gross ticket sales are deducted as taxes, comprising 5% Federal Government Value Added Tax (VAT) and 5% State Government entertainment tax.
2. Net Box Office Revenue: The remaining revenue after taxes is shared between the cinema (exhibitor) and the distributor.
– Nollywood Films:
Week 1: 50% (distributor) / 50% (cinema)
Week 2: 45% (distributor) / 55% (cinema)
Week 3+: 40% (distributor) / 60% (cinema)
Hollywood Films: Variable terms, subject to contractual agreements, but often following a similar sliding scale principle.
3. Producer Share: From the distributor’s share, a fee (10-15%) and applicable withholding taxes (10%) are deducted, with the remainder going to the film’s producer (~30-40% of total box office gross).
Operational Costs: Behind the Scenes
Cinemas face significant operational costs, including:
– Real estate and equipment maintenance
– Staff salaries
– High electricity/fuel expenses due to reliance on generators
Target Audience and Film Types
Cinemas rely on a growing middle-class with disposable income, with urban centers like Lagos dominating box office revenue.
Hollywood blockbusters consistently attract large audiences, while Nollywood films perform well during peak seasons/holidays.
Nigerian film producers Toyin Abraham, Niyi Akinmolayan, and Ini Edo have alleged cinema operators of deliberate sabotage of their films through unfavourable screening practices.
The producers claim that some cinemas are engaging in practices such as falsely declaring films sold out, assigning poor screening times, and limiting showings to just one per day.
Toyin Abraham, whose latest film “Oversabi Aunty” is allegedly being sidelined in several cinemas, stated that she is not making money from the film.
“They sell another ticket to people and take them to my movie hall,” she said, accusing cinemas of assigning her film early morning and late-night screening slots, which she described as commercially damaging.
“Some cinemas will give you 10 am and 9 pm. A 10 am showtime, how do you expect it to sell?” she asked.
Niyi Akinmolayan, director of “Colours of Fire,” also raised concerns over the treatment of his movie, accusing some cinemas of collecting money for tickets but refusing to screen the film.
He warned that he would publicly identify cinemas and their managers if the situation didn’t improve.
“If by end of day you don’t fix up, I am going to name all the cinemas that have Colors of Fire on their website, collected money from people and are refusing to show them the film,” he wrote.
Ini Edo, a first-time producer, shared video recordings on her Instagram page of cinema-goers complaining about cinema misconduct, describing her experience as draining.
She wrote, “Nigerian cinemas, this has been exhausting. As a first-timer, I learned on the go with humility and commitment, yet faced intentional frustration despite the sacrifice and investment poured into this project. But God is bigger than every barrier, bigger than gatekeeping and intimidation”.
These complaints highlight concerns about screen time allocation during peak cinema periods, with December being the most competitive season for Nigerian cinemas.
Music icon 2Baba has publicly declared that he has stopped impregnating women.
This confession came after years of public scrutiny over his relationships with multiple women and having children outside his marriage.
The singer, who has seven children with five different women, made this revelation during the MC EdoPikin Undiluted with StarBoy and Legends show in Benin City.
He emphasised that he has changed his ways and is now focused on his music and personal growth.
“But see, I get confession. I dey make this confession everywhere I go now to set the record straight. I don stop to dey do that kind of thing. I don stop to dey give belle anyhow. I swear, ask anybody now, they will tell you that I’m innocent,” he said in Pidgin English.
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has announced the immediate suspension of its National President, Pretty Okafor, following an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued on December 25, 2025, after the NEC deliberated on what it described as pressing governance concerns affecting the association.
In the interim, the Governor of the FCT Chapter of PMAN, Mr. Sydney Sparrow, has been appointed Acting President to prevent a leadership vacuum.
According to the NEC, Okafor’s suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in force pending the conclusion of a full investigation and disciplinary process.
The communiqué stated that the action became necessary due to alleged persistent violations of PMAN’s constitution, abuse of office, disregard for due process and actions considered detrimental to the welfare, integrity and credibility of the association.
One of the major issues cited was the unilateral appointment of officers. The Council accused the suspended President of appointing a “First Vice President” and “Second Vice President” without the required consultation, approval or ratification of the NEC, in violation of constitutional provisions. Despite objections, the appointees were reportedly added to the NEC platform and allowed to participate in meetings.
The NEC also condemned the removal of the duly elected National Treasurer, who was allegedly excluded from the NEC platform after raising concerns over the auditing of PMAN’s accounts. The Council described the action as an attack on transparency and accountability.
In addition, the communiqué noted the poor performance of the National Working Committee under Okafor’s leadership, citing its failure to organise nationally recognised events such as the PMAN Music Awards, implement meaningful welfare programmes for musicians and enforce regulatory standards within the industry.
The Council further accused the President of intolerance of dissenting views, saying his leadership style stifled democratic participation, undermined teamwork and created a hostile working environment within the association.
Another major concern raised was a controversial Joint Venture agreement involving PMAN property in Abuja. According to the NEC, the deal allegedly allocates 60 per cent to a developer, 30 per cent to PMAN and an unexplained 10 per cent to an unknown company, raising concerns over transparency, possible conflict of interest and financial misrepresentation.
As part of its resolutions, the NEC announced that all unilateral appointments made by the suspended President have been nullified, the National Treasurer reinstated, and a forensic audit of PMAN’s accounts and recent Joint Venture agreements approved.
PMAN urged its members nationwide to remain calm, stressing that the suspension is corrective rather than punitive, and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring transparency, accountability and proper governance within the association.
The NEC emphasised that PMAN remains committed to protecting the interests of Nigerian musicians and upholding the constitution guiding the association.
