Lagos targets music industry growth to boost detty December success
The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has reaffirmed its commitment to solidifying the state’s position as Africa’s entertainment capital by building on the success of the 2024 edition of “Detty December,” which attracted over 1.2 million fun-seekers from Nigeria and the diaspora.
During a courtesy visit by Ghazi Shami, founder of the U.S.-based Empire Distribution, Records, and Publishing Company, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, outlined plans to make the 2025 edition of the event even more impactful.
She emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of leveraging tourism for economic and cultural growth.
Benson-Awoyinka commended the contributions of Nigerian music icons, including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Adekunle Gold, and Seyi Vibez, to the 2024 festivities.
She stressed the importance of structured support for the music industry to complement the strides already made in the film and creative sectors.
“While Lagos has achieved a lot in the film and creative industry, we recognise that the music sector still requires significant attention.
“Our goal is to nurture talents and create a pipeline of skilled professionals, including musicians, executives, lawyers, and engineers, ensuring Lagos continues to dominate the global music scene,” the Commissioner stated.
To address these gaps, the ministry plans to establish a music academy, talent hunts, and specialised training programmes aimed at fostering the next generation of industry professionals.
Ghazi Shami lauded Lagos for its achievements, describing Detty December as a “global showcase of African excellence.” However, he noted the pressing need for a robust legal framework in the Nigerian music industry to protect artists’ interests.
“One of the major challenges is the lack of specialised legal expertise in the Nigerian music industry. It is disheartening to see young artists sign contracts that could negatively affect their careers due to a lack of informed guidance,” Shami said.
He highlighted the frequent reliance on international lawyers to handle contracts for Nigerian artists, which undermines local confidence and expertise. Shami called for collaboration to develop a pool of trained professionals who understand record deals, royalty agreements, and intellectual property rights.
Expressing his willingness to partner with the Lagos State Government, Shami pledged to support initiatives aimed at empowering Nigerian artists and ensuring they secure better deals and long-term career success.
