L-R: Temi Hassan-Nehemiah, project manager, Make Music; Adeola Akinyemi, director, Make Music; Abdullah Abubakre, founder, Connect Afrobeats; Precious Naador, marketing lead, Alliance Francaise de Lagos; Sesan Adeniji, general manager, Vybz FM and Sola Mogaji, member organising partner, Make Music, at the press conference in Lagos recently.
…Rolls out plans for 10th anniversary
Make Music Nigeria, the country’s leading arm of the global Fête de la Musique movement, has unveiled plans for the World Music Day 2025 edition, marking a decade of cultural impact, artist empowerment, and community engagement. The milestone edition is hosted in collaboration with the Alliance Française de Lagos and supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Alliance Française de Lagos, which brought together the organising committee, media, and cultural stakeholders to share the roadmap for this year’s edition.
The 2025 celebration is set to deliver a series of engaging programmes aimed at amplifying emerging voices, deepening music industry education, elevating industry discourse and uniting communities through music.
At the heart of the 2025 celebration is a two-day festival kicking off on June 20, 2025, with the Music Business Conference. The conference will explore key themes such as streaming, publishing, branding, and music law with the aim to provide upcoming creatives and artistes with necessary tools required to build sustainable careers.
The event will also feature industry leaders, top A&Rs, and cultural stakeholders in an immersive experience aimed at closing the knowledge gap within the music ecosystem.
The festivities will culminate on June 21, 2025, the World Music Day, with the Shutdown Concert, a high-energy celebration set to electrify Lagos with a vibrant mix of DJs one of which is DJ Baddest from Côte d’Ivoire.
The Ivorian female DJ is promising an electrifying set, infusing the night with a dynamic francophone energy, bridging West African rhythms and celebrating the unifying power of music across borders.
Performances from live bands, and rising stars are also scheduled for the night along with headline performances that will include; M.I Abaga, Nigerian rap icon, marking a powerful comeback tied to his two-part album and legacy in shaping Nigeria’s hip-hop narrative.
Others are; Johnny Drille, a soul-pop sensation, and Gaise Baba, a gospel powerhouse, promising a night that captures the heartbeat of Nigeria’s diverse soundscape.
A major highlight of the celebration is Nigeria’s participation in the global ‘Taking Flight’ Choir Project, where selected choirs from eight countries will deliver a synchronized performance of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, showcasing the unifying power of music across continents.
Speaking at the press, Adeola Akinyemi, director, Make Music Nigeria, noted that the global music event started as a simple way to celebrate World Music Day.
Reflecting on the journey so far, she said that, “Ten years later, we are proud to see how that idea has grown into a movement that touches lives, empowers creators, and strengthens the bond between music and the Nigerian people across cities.”
However, Alliance Française de Lagos and the French Embassy in Nigeria, longstanding cultural partners, have continue to play a pivotal role in the Make Music’s evolution. Their support brings global expertise, cultural depth, and a shared vision of music as a bridge between nations and generations.
Precious Naador, marketing lead, Alliance Française de Lagos, emphasized the importance of the collaboration saying, “We are proud to be part of a platform this impactful that truly makes music accessible to all. Celebrating World Music Day in partnership with Make Music Nigeria reflects our commitment to creative inclusivity, cross-cultural collaboration, and the belief that music is a universal language that brings people together”.
Marianne Ournac, cooperation officer, French Embassy, also highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy. “‘Fête de la Musique, aka World Music Day, is a major event in France, and we are delighted to be able to support its celebration in Lagos, Nigeria. This year, we are very happy to add a Francophone touch by supporting the arrival of Ivorian female DJ ‘Baddest’, who will be performing a set combining Afrobeats influences and the sounds of Francophone West African countries,” Ournac said.
Expanding beyond Lagos, this year Make Music activities will take place across six cities, a testament to the initiative’s steady growth and widening impact over the last decade with each city bringing its own energy, culture, and creative force to the celebration.
Speaking on the expansion, Edison Udom, partner, Uyo organising team, remarked, “We are excited to be part of a nationwide movement that not only entertains but uplifts and educates. We intend to position Make Music as a tool to connect communities, nurture young talent, and reinforce the idea that music belongs to everyone”.
The plans reflect the wider vision of Make Music Nigeria, to democratize access to music and spotlight talent from every corner of the country.
Since its inception in 2016, Make Music Nigeria has grown into one of the country’s most inclusive and impactful music initiatives hosting over 300 live and virtual events, spotlighting more than 3,000 artists, and reaching over one million people nationwide.
With continued support from the French cultural network, local partners, and music lovers nationwide, the 10th anniversary of Make Music Nigeria stands not only as a celebration of sound but as a rallying call for a deeper, more inclusive, and more sustainable music culture in Nigeria.
Make Music Nigeria 2025 is proudly supported by Slice Media and Showgear Nigeria.
