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Tag: AFRIMA

  • Remembering late AFRIMA boss’s wife, Modupe Dada, one years after

    Remembering late AFRIMA boss’s wife, Modupe Dada, one years after

    It feels just like yesterday, yet 355 days have passed since the peaceful transition of Mrs. Modupe Temitope Dada, beloved wife of Mr Mike Dada, President and Executive Producer of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

    A one-year memorial service in her honour will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Grace Assembly Church, Yard 158, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

    The event will be a day of reflection, worship, and gratitude, bringing together family, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate the life and legacy of a woman fondly remembered as “kindness personified.” The memorial will capture the bittersweet emotions of loved ones still coming to terms with the loss of a remarkable woman whose warmth, kindness, grace, and quiet strength touched many lives.

    In an invitation shared with friends and associates, Mr Dada, who also serves as Managing Director of PRM Africa Marketing and Communications, expressed deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support his family has received over the past year.

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    It’s been a year since my beloved wife, Modupe, went to be with the Lord. You are warmly invited as we worship, remember, and give thanks for her inspiring life,” he wrote.

    For many, the memory of that sombre Saturday, October 19, 2024, remains vivid — the day news broke that Mrs Dada had passed on at a private hospital in Lagos after a brief illness. She was aged 48.

    Until her passing, Mrs Dada, a committed banking professional, served with distinction at various banks in Nigeria, where she had earned a well-deserved promotion and respect for super performance— a testament to her diligence, excellence, and unwavering commitment to her profession.

    The memorial service on Sunday, scheduled to be superintended by Reverend Femi Paul, will not only honour Modupe’s memory but also celebrate her enduring legacy of faith, compassion, friendship and genuine love — virtues that continue to inspire those she left behind.

  • Memorial service for AFRIMA boss’ wife holds Sunday

    Memorial service for AFRIMA boss’ wife holds Sunday

    The one year memorial service in honour of the late Mrs. Modupe Dada, wife of President and Executive Producer of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA),

    Mr. Mike Dada, will be held on Sunday, at Grace Assembly Church, Yard 158, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos, from noon to 1pm.

    The event will be a day of reflection, worship and gratitude, bringing together family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate the life and legacy of a woman fondly remembered as “kindness personified.”

    Mr. Dada, who also serves as managing director of PRM Africa Marketing and Communications, expressed deep appreciation about the outpouring of love and support his family had received over the past year.

    Read Also: AFRIMA releases nominations as Lagos prepares to host Africa for 2025 edition

    ‘’It’s been a year since my beloved wife, Modupe, went to be with the Lord. You are warmly invited as we worship, remember and give thanks for her inspiring life,” he wrote.

    Until her death, Mrs. Dada, a committed banking professional, served with distinction at banks in Nigeria, where she earned a well-deserved promotion and respect for her superb performance— a testament to her diligence, excellence and commitment to her profession.

    The memorial service, scheduled to be superintended by Rev. Femi Paul, will not only honour Modupe’s memory, but also celebrate her legacy of faith, compassion, friendship and genuine love — virtues that continue to inspire those she left behind.

  • AFRIMA releases nominations as Lagos prepares to host Africa for 2025 edition

    AFRIMA releases nominations as Lagos prepares to host Africa for 2025 edition

    It was a dazzling evening of elegance, warmth, and celebration as the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, hosted its 2025 Patron’s Dinner with the International Jury in Lagos, Nigeria.

    The gathering brought together policymakers, stakeholders in Africa’s creative economy, music executives, artists, media representatives, and AFRIMA’s international jurors from 14 countries who are responsible for ensuring the credibility of Africa’s global music awards.

    The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) on Wednesday evening unveiled the nominees for its 2025 edition, with Nigerian superstars dominating the list.

    Burna Boy and Davido lead the pack with five nominations each, including coveted spots in the ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’ categories.

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    South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa matched them with five nods, including ‘Best African DJ’ and ‘Album of the Year’. Morocco’s rap star El Grande Toto also secured five nominations.

    Fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi secured four nominations, including ‘Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’ for his hit ‘Laho’, while Rema secured three nominations.

    The event was hosted by AFRIMA Patron, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, Chairman of The Address Homes.

    This year’s jury session has brought together jurors from across the five regions of Africa and the diaspora in Lagos, Nigeria. For over a week, they worked tirelessly to select nominees from a total of 10,717 entries received for AFRIMA 2025. The AFRIMA 2025 Nominees List will be announced to the public on August 24, following the conclusion of the adjudication process.Barrister Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, who led a strong cast of dignitaries to the event, praised AFRIMA’s global impact.

    “AFRIMA is a testimony of how the creative sector in Nigeria has developed to a global standard, even without strong government backup. We are proud of what AFRIMA stands for and the impact it has made in Africa and on a global scale, projecting our identity, culture, language, and music. As a government, we will continue to support initiatives like this not just because it celebrates art but because it strengthens the economy and unites us,” she said.

    Representing the Lagos State Government, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, assured stakeholders, artistes, and fans across Africa that the State is fully prepared to welcome the continent and the rest of the world.

    Benson-Awoyinka, who was joined at the event by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy,  Gbenga Omotosho, said, “I think we are in the right place at the right time. For us in Lagos, hosting AFRIMA 2025 is not just another event; it is a big honour. People say we are the culture and entertainment capital of Africa, and we are ready to welcome the whole continent and the world to our city for this great event.  We thank the Federal Government, our partners, and all those supporting AFRIMA for trusting Lagos to host again.”

    In collaboration with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA 2025 is being organised alongside the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Official Host City, Lagos State.

    For the Patron, Dr. Onasanya, who was accompanied to the event by his wife, Mrs Olufunke Onasanya, families and friends and business mogul, Chief Musa Danjuma and Dayo Adeola, the focus is on creating a sustainable legacy and delivering the best AFRIMA yet.

    “Tonight, we proudly recognise the incredible work of our jury members and say a big thank you to them. This year, we are excited to welcome Africa to AFRIMA. Africa and the rest of the world will see an amazing show in Lagos because we are confident of organising a successful event. I sincerely thank the Federal Government of Nigeria and our Official Host City, Lagos State, for their tremendous support, as well as our sponsors and every stakeholder who believes in AFRIMA. The last edition was fantastic, but I assure you that AFRIMA 2025 will be the best”

    One of the jury members, Guy Neza, an Ivorian who is representing West Africa on the panel, said, “It has been an amazing journey for me to be part of this journey. Africa is full of amazing talent, and it makes me happy to see our music and creativity receiving the recognition they deserve, as AFRIMA is the continent’s biggest music entity. Every artist who sends in their work is helping our creative industry grow stronger.  With the quality of music we have screened, I can confidently say that the future of the industry is promising.”

    AFRIMA President and  Founder, Mike Dada, thanked the jury, patrons, and creative stakeholders for their role in sustaining AFRIMA’s growth and success.

    “I am truly grateful for the support from every corner of our creative industry; from the Federal Government of Nigeria, our Official Host City, Lagos State Government and Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, our Patron, to the media, to the artists, producers, and record executives. It is inspiring to see us working hand in hand with one shared goal to elevate Africa’s global music. We said at the beginning of this journey that we would not joke with the credibility of this awards; we insisted that any artist who will be nominated or win award must submit their work to qualify and this patron’s dinner is our way of honouring the AFRIMA jury, who dedicate their time to carefully select the finest talents from thousands of entries for nomination in their rightful categories,” he said.

    Guests were also treated to a soulful performance by fast-rising star Qing Madi.  Adding to the sparkle of the night were appearances from music stars Ice Prince Zamani, Orezi, Praiz, and DJ Nana, among others.

    The roll call of high-profile dignitaries included Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture; media moguls Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye and Id Ogungbe; respected journalists Mayor Akinpelu, Ayo Aminu, Mojeed Jamiu, Azu Arinze; Founder of AFFRIF, Chioma Ude, media and Entertainment personalities Olisa Adibua, Ali Baba, Sunday Are, Ehiz and Uti Nwachukwu, among others; alongside other notable figures from the arts, culture, and media space.

    The AFRIMA 2025 celebration is set to take place from November 25 to 30 in Lagos. The week-long show will include a variety of events, such as the Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the African Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, the Nominees Party, and the main awards ceremony. This ceremony will be broadcast live to over 84 countries.

  • AFRIMA 2025 receives record 10,717 entries

    AFRIMA 2025 receives record 10,717 entries

    • Nominees’ list to be released August 24.

    The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has received record-setting 10,717 entries for this year’s edition of Africa’s Global Music Awards.

    This development represents a substantial increase from the last edition’s 9,076 entries.

    The surge in entries shows AFRIMA’s position as the continent’s most prestigious platform for developing, celebrating, and promoting African music globally.

    The entry window, which opened on May 27 and closed on August 8, 23:59 GMT, welcomed songs, albums, and music videos from every corner of the continent and beyond. Submissions came not only from artistes, songwriters, and music producers but also from video directors, DJs, dancers, choreographers, recording labels, and even unrecorded talents.

    Leading the pack is West Africa with 5,215 entries (48.68 per cent), followed by Southern Africa with 2,080 entries (19.42 per cent), and Eastern Africa with 804 entries (7.50 per cent).

    The remaining entries coming from Northern Africa with 267 entries (2.49 per cent), Central Africa with 291 entries (2.72 per cent), and 75 entries (0.70 per cent) from Africans in the diaspora.

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    The 13-member International Jury, which comprises seasoned music industry professionals from across Africa and the diaspora, began adjudication on Friday, August 8, in Lagos, Nigeria. The process will run until Sunday, August 17.

    A statement by AFRIMA’s Media Relations Manager, Adejuwon Osunnuyi, said that during the adjudication period, entries would be screened, categorised, and scored based on quality, originality, impact, and cultural relevance. The jury will then select nominees from the submitted entries across various regional and continental categories, the statement said.

    Commenting on the record turnout, a Jury member representing Southern Africa, Adam Tiran, said: “The record number of entries for AFRIMA 2025 is more than just a statistic; it shows how alive, creative, and unstoppable African music is right now. It’s about growing confidence among artistes that AFRIMA is the stage where their work can be seen, respected, and celebrated on a global scale.

    “It’s clear that African music is not only growing fast but also making a big impact on the global stage.”

    The statement announced that the official AFRIMA 2025 nominees’ list will be announced on August 24, which will also lead to the start of the voting period.

    “From September 5, the AFRIMA Academy, as well as fans worldwide, can vote for their favourite nominees via the official AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org.

    “Voting will close 24 hours before the Awards Night on November 30. All results will be monitored and audited by an appointed international auditing firm to ensure transparency and credibility of the process.

    AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union, secured strategic partnerships with the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Official Host City, Lagos State, spearheaded by Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu for the 2025 edition.

    AFRIMA 2025 will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 30. It will feature a week of events, including the Africa Music Business Summit, the AFRIMA Music Village Concert, the Nominees Party, and the grand Awards Night. The event will be broadcast live to over 84 countries.

  • 13-man jury arrives Lagos for AFRIMA

    13-man jury arrives Lagos for AFRIMA

    The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 is set to celebrate the best of African music, with the International Jury gathering in Lagos, Nigeria, for a rigorous adjudication process.

    The jury, comprising 13 industry experts from across Africa and the diaspora, will review thousands of music entries submitted from various categories, including songwriting, production, and music videos.

    With a theme of “Unstoppable Africa,” AFRIMA 2025 aims to showcase the continent’s rich musical diversity.

    The jury members, drawn from different regions, bring their expertise and passion for African music to the table.

    They will assess entries based on musical quality, originality, impact, and cultural relevance.

    According to Hadja Kobele, a jury member representing the African diaspora in North America, the team is committed to a fair and transparent process, ensuring that only the most deserving talents are nominated.

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    “We take this job very seriously,” Kobele stated. “Each entry submitted, whether it comes from a household name or an emerging voice, will be assessed strictly on merit. Our criteria are clear: musical quality, originality, impact, and cultural relevance. AFRIMA isn’t about industry politics or social media popularity; it’s about honouring the music, the message, and the creators behind it.”

    She continued, “The whole continent is watching, and we have to ensure that only the most deserving talents and works are nominated. This is a celebration of African excellence, and we are committed to making sure that the process remains fair, credible, and free of bias. No shortcuts, no sentiment, just pure, honest work in service of African music.”

    The AFRIMA 2025 nominees will be announced on August 24, followed by a voting period that will allow fans and music lovers to support their favourite artists.

    The awards ceremony, scheduled for November 30, will be broadcast live in over 84 countries, highlighting the global reach and impact of African music.

    With its partnership with the African Union, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Lagos State, AFRIMA 2025 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of African excellence in music.

  • AFRIMA: Rewarding, uniting Africa through music

    AFRIMA: Rewarding, uniting Africa through music

    After a two year hiatus, organisers of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, have returned with more determination to reward and unite African countries through music.

    In a recent chat with Mike Dada, the Executive producer and president of AFRIMA, he explained the challenges that necessitated the two year hiatus as well as plans ahead of a more robust and intentional edition scheduled for November 2025.

    “If you notice, AFRIMA had not been held in two years after the last edition in Dakar, Senegal. This is because we had to stop, unlearn, relearn and project ahead for a formidable and authentic prestigious pan-African initiative.”

    According to Dada, AFRIMA is not just an award ceremony but a pot-pourri of well defined and cultural activities that aims at unifying African countries and celebrating African music on a global outlook.

    The trained legal practitioner was also quick to remind guests and fans alike that though AFRIMA kicked off in Nigeria in 2014, it is not a Nigerian event. Dada stressed that AFRIMA is a continental event which stands tall as a fusion of festival, award, business, academy, CSR, advisory, and policy debate. To further drive home his point, Dada said the AFRIMA initiative is in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC).

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    To achieve this aim, AFRIMA had put together, in the early days of the initiative, an international committee that consists of five regions: SADEC, Eastern Africa, Central Africa, Northern, Southern Africa and Western Africa, which are run by regional directors and 54 country directors.

    “The mission is clear from the beginning. It is to honour, celebrate, and promote musical excellence and creativity across Africa while preserving and showcasing the continent’s rich cultural heritage. Through the awards, festivals, and talent development initiatives, AFRIMA drives the expansion of Africa’s creative economy, positioning it as a dynamic engine for economic growth, social inclusion, and cultural unity across the continent,” Dada explained.

    AFRIMA has been held in several African cities and countries including Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; and Dakar, Senegal.

    With past winners of the awards determined by music professionals across the African continent and monitored by an independent auditing firm, PwC, Dada revealed some of the challenges with countries and artists.

    “We pride ourselves in the integrity we have built over the years. No one knows who the eventual winners are. I don’t even know until when they are announced. The independent auditing firm gives the final winners list to the producer on the day of the event and they also monitor to ensure the winners are rewarded accordingly. We have had situations where artists, artists managers and sometimes government officials want to influence who wins what but we refuse and stand our ground because AFRIMA’s integrity is non-negotiable,” Dada explained.

    For the 2025 edition, which has been dubbed, ‘Unstoppable Africa,’ plans are in top gear for the initiative to run between November 25, 2025 and November 30, 2025.

    The week-long festival with an immense socio-economic impact will feature a music awards ceremony, a music festival, a music business hub, The AFRIMA Kreative Academy

    (TAKA), talent discovery and promotion, a foundation, CSR and CSA, and an Advisory and policy debates.

    Dada and his team confirmed that the 2025 edition will be broadcast live to 84 countries on 109 Television stations across the world. He also confirmed that the award nominations have over 1,600 nominees and teams, a 1,100-strong production crew, and an expected 400 million global broadcast audience.

  • Why we are hosting Global Music Workshop in Lagos, by AFRIMA

    Why we are hosting Global Music Workshop in Lagos, by AFRIMA

    The producers of All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, have opened up on the reason for the decision to hold the Global Music Workshop in Lagos.

    The event is being hosted in partnership with BridgeAfric, and UNESCO.

    The event, which kicked off on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 and is billed to end on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

    Adenrele Niyi, Chief Experience Officer, (CXO), AFRIMA, opined that the event aims to train young creatives, foster international collaborations, and further enhance the capabilities of creators and professionals along the value chain of music production and business.

    On partnering with BridgeAfric, Adenrele said, “As AFRIMA, part of our mission is building capacity and fostering cross-border collaborations by empowering Africa’s creative industry and by providing platforms for artists to collaborate, grow, and break boundaries. Partnering with bridgeAfric for the Showbiz101 Global Workshop & Music Creation Camp is a no-brainer. This initiative is about more than just music; it’s about equipping young creatives with the tools, knowledge, and global connections they need to thrive in the industry.”

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    According to Victoria Nkong, President of BridgeAfric who is also an Associate Producer for AFRIMA, the workshop aims to support the future of Africa’s creative industry by focusing on key areas including the need to educate and train young talents, saying, “We believe learning is essential to solving problems in the entertainment industry. This workshop will equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.”

    She said the event will feature performances, training sessions, and recording opportunities for artists.

    Nkong added that the five-day event will bring top musicians together for a three-day global music camp, where they will create songs as a team. “By the end of the camp, we will have a global EP featuring top African stars from different countries,” she said.

    “Another goal of the workshop is to help artists reach new audiences by connecting them with international music executives. This will open doors for them to promote their music in different parts of the world.”

  • AFRIMA President Mike Dada loses wife

    AFRIMA President Mike Dada loses wife

    The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) family is in mourning.

    Modupe Temitope Dada, wife of The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) president, Mike Dada has passed away.

    According to a statement, Modupe died on Saturday, at Dutchess International Hospital in Lagos after a brief illness.

    Mike Dada described Modupe as a “true and loving wife and mother” who devoted her life to family and Africa.

    He said: “It is with immeasurable grief that the Dada family confirms the passing of our wife and sister, Modupe Temitope Dada, aka Dupsy, Mama Africa, at Dutchess International Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

    “A true and loving wife and mother indeed. She lived her life in the banking and entertainment industry and brought to us the affection and compassion that we have come to love so much.

    “The family submits to the will of the Almighty God and asks for prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time. She always put her family and Africa first. Her passing has left a void that will be impossible to fill.”

    Read Also: PACC6: AFRIMA partners stakeholders to actualise AU’s vision on creative economy

    A Service of songs hold on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 by 5:00 pm at Grace Assembly, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos. 

    The farewell service will take place on Thursday, October 24 by 10:00 am at the same venue, followed by a private interment.

    Modupe is survived by her husband, two children and siblings.

  • PACC6: AFRIMA partners stakeholders to actualise AU’s vision on creative economy

    PACC6: AFRIMA partners stakeholders to actualise AU’s vision on creative economy

    As one of the institutions championing positive change in the global entertainment industry, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of Africa’s creative economy by partnering with critical stakeholders to align with the African Union’s vision for cultural and creative development, as outlined during the recently concluded 6th Pan-African Cultural Congress (AU/PACC6) in Moroni, Union of Comoros.

    It was a gathering of key stakeholders, including Pan-African cultural institutions, artists, cultural workers, and policymakers in the East African country, at an epoch-making event held between September 25 and 27, 2024. At this event, a framework for action aligning national and continental policies was developed, emphasizing the development of arts and heritage as crucial to achieving the AU’s Agenda 2063 vision.

    In a presentation at the event, Sola Dada, AFRIMA’s Director of Stakeholders Engagement, Media, and Communications (Global), took the audience through the organisation’s activities since its inception in 2014, tailored towards promoting music, arts, and culture on the continent and the sustained effort to collaborate with other industry institutions to deepen the entertainment ecosystem in Africa.

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    “AFRIMA has successfully collaborated with policymakers, governments, African artistes, producers, record labels, promoters, publishing companies, media, and the African Union Commission (AUC) to celebrate and promote African music globally,” Dada said.

    “Through our seven core pillars, namely Music Awards, Music Festivals, Music Business Hub, Talent Discovery and Promotion, AFRIMA Creative Academy, Advisory and Policy Debates, Corporate Social Responsibility and Advocacy, we have positioned African music as a tool for integration, inclusivity, economic prosperity, and world peace.”

    He said as the longest-running African music award platform with a global reach, AFRIMA plays a critical role in enhancing the visibility of African music.

    Dada added that  ” AFRIMA’s events bring together thousands of music artistes, actors, celebrities, governments, and professionals from around the world to continent’s cultural significance on the global stage.

  • AFRIMA President seeks African collaborations as BridgeAfric launches in Malawi

    AFRIMA President seeks African collaborations as BridgeAfric launches in Malawi

    Today, Saturday, March 23, the President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, would be sharing his thoughts at the BridgeAfric’s Southern Africa launch in Malawi.

    BridgeAfric is a revolutionary initiative aimed at connecting African artistes and industry professionals across the continent led by the dynamic Victoria Nkong.

    Dada would be speaking on the significance of working together in promoting African music on a global scale.

    In a recent statement, the AFRIMA President noted that there are potentials for growth and success that come from uniting artists, producers, and other stakeholders in the industry.

    Dada, who lauded BridgAfric for its efforts in connecting Malawians artistes, said he is committed to supporting initiatives like BridgAfric that empower African artists and promote the rich diversity of African music. He believes that by working together, they can create a more vibrant and inclusive music industry that celebrates the talent and creativity of artists from across the continent.

    “This is very significant for the growth, development and promotion of the arts and music industry in Africa, especially when you look at it from the point of view of collaborations, the Malawi music industry and connecting to the center of the journey of the ongoing movements and the development of the African industry to the global audience,” Dada submitted.

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    Speaking on its widely acknowledged Africa’s prestigious annual music awards, Dada noted, “AFRIMA is for Africans, and everybody is entitled to be part of it. Malawi is entitled to be part of it being an African country, if you are a Malawian, it’s your right to be part of it. I think from records, if I’m correct, only two or three artistes from Malawi have won the AFRIMA Awards in the past, so we encourage more Malawians to be part of it so that you can get the benefit of being part of the collective movement of the continent.”

    Expressing her excitement, The BridgeAfric President, Victoria Nkong noted that the AFRIMA President’s insights and expertise will undoubtedly provide valuable knowledge and inspiration to all those in attendance.