Africa’s largest-gathering of entertainment and creative industry professionals, NECLive is bringing together experts, practitioners, stakeholders, and trend-setters from around Africa to have important conversations on the theme, ‘Sustaining the Africa Momentum.’ The focus of the ninth edition of the annual Nigerian Entertainment Conference is on developing an industry that will continue to grow as one of the country’s main export and a source of continental soft power.
As seen in the past, discussions of this nature have gone on to either predict the direction of the entertainment industry, offer solutions to pertinent problems or bring attention to other socio-political issues that affect the industry as a whole. A typical example was in 2016 when Nigeria slipped into a recession – the conference theme was “Entertainment Industry As ‘Last Hope’ For Africa’s Largest Economy” and there were deep discussions that shed light on how Nigeria can harness its entertainment sector to drive the economy forward.
So why is it important for the entertainment industry to have an annual conference to discuss these issues? The real question, is why not?
According to PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook for 2020-2024, Nigeria’s media and entertainment industry is one of the fastest-growing creative industries in the world. It has the potential to become the country’s greatest export, with a projected annual growth rate of 8.6% and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.3% from 2018-2023. PwC indicates that in 2021, Nigeria’s film industry contributed 2.3% and about ₦239 billion ($660 million) to GDP and it projected that the industry will increase its export revenue earnings to over $1 billion. The motion picture and music recording industry in 2020 exceeded the projected $806 million in revenue contributing about ₦730 billion ($1.8 billion) to the country’s GDP.
In line with ID Africa’s strategic plan of curating conversation around the theme, NECLive9 will create clarity on how we can acquire economic power as individuals, organisations, a nation, and continent. The conference will also expose opportunities via communities of Africans in the diaspora and how to drive social impact and development through entertainment.
The Nigerian music and movie industry has transcended the age when foreign artistes were required to gain global recognition and acceptance. Right now, the industry has grown to the point where global interest is on the rise and foreign artistes need Nigerian collaboration to break into the African market.
As is the tradition, speakers have been selected based on their experience, practice, interest, contribution and knowledge of the theme and conversation around the conference.
Some of the speakers include Nancy Isime, actor and host, Anyiko Owoko from Kenya, Mr Macaroni, actor and comedian, Tunde Onakoya, founder of ChessInSlums, Dr Busola Tejumola, the Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice, Bolanle Olukanni, TV host and filmmaker, Broadcaster Osi Suave, media executive, Sam Onyemelukwe, Broadcaster Mozez Praiz, Obi Asika, media entrepreneur, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, entertainment personality, Iyabo Ojo, actress and TikToker, Mariam Timmer, reality TV star, Aline Gahongayire, Rwandan singer, Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun, Head of Programmes at News Central TV, and others.
The ninth edition of NECLive is put together by ID Africa in partnership with Big Cabal Media, Legit, MTV Base, Hip TV, Trace TV, 7even Interactive, Landmark Centre, AV Edge, Huce Valeris, BHM, Plaqad, GreenRoom, Mirus Events, African Movie Channel, X3m Ideas, Hit FM, Beat FM, Naija FM, Classic FM, Top Radio, Pinpoint Media, and News Central TV.
NECLive9 will hold on Friday, April 29, 2022, at Landmark Event Centre in Lagos and would be simultaneously broadcast live on Hip TV (DStv and GOtv) and online platforms. Register now to join the conversations in-person or virtually.
Registration is open until April 22, and there will be no manual registration at the venue.
