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A decade after its inception, NECLive – West Africa’s largest annual conference – has revealed a comprehensive report and documentary, providing an in-depth analysis of the Nigerian entertainment industry’s evolution and the impact of the conference over the years. It delves into the challenges, and motivating factors behind the conference’s inception, recorded growth, emerging trends, and newfound opportunities in the industry. This report and documentary cumulatively capture the transformative journey undertaken by NECLive.

Produced by ID Africa and BHM Research & Intelligence, the report highlights NECLive’s significant contributions to the Big 4 industry sectors – music, film, fashion, comedy, (and alternative art). Its strategic focus on talent management, improved regulatory frameworks, and amplified digital streaming and distribution has culminated in an investment exceeding ₦1.3 billion over the past decade, fostering unparalleled growth within the industry.

Serving as the marketplace for the biggest minds in the industry, to convene and address challenges, NECLive has actively sought solutions for piracy, funding limitations, infrastructure deficiencies, copyright infringements, and talent development gaps. The conference’s substantial influence is evident in the industry’s current surge in potential and overall growth trajectory.

NECLive’s impact resonates across various facets: from hosting conferences, exhibitions, and mentorship programs to championing thought leadership initiatives. An impressive “87.5% of industry stakeholders attribute NECLive’s interventions to the advancement of Nigeria’s entertainment sector.”

Ayeni Adekunle Samuel, the conference’s convener, reflected on the journey and future plans, stating, “The inception of NECLive was rooted in the belief that the realm of possibilities knows no bounds; that with the right blend of education, networks, and determination, we have the power to accomplish anything we set our minds to. As Nigerian entertainers continue to shatter barriers and achieve unprecedented milestones, NECLive stands as a steadfast companion, guiding, inspiring, and reminding us that our potential is limitless. As we embark on the next transformative decade, be rest assured that NECLive has a renewed mission to embrace.”

Regarding funding sources, while passion propels NECLive, the report reveals that sustaining the conference year after year primarily relies on support from organizers – BHM and ID Africa, alongside notable partners like Multichoice and MTN. This investment has significantly propelled NECLive’s framework, comprising advocacy, training, workshops, panel discussions, keynote presentations, and more. Noteworthy statistics over the last decade include a reach of over 132 million, 100,000+ event participants, and 45 hours of online broadcasting across various platforms.

At NECLive 2017, John Ugbe, MultiChoice CEO, and chairman of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, emphasized the necessity of exporting our content and talents to the world, stating, ‘Beyond oil, we need to export our content, talents to the world. More structures need to be created as Nigerian movies have found a wider appeal.’

Looking forward, NECLive sets its sights on global expansion, aiming to continue spearheading the entertainment industry’s development. The conference seeks to position Africa on the global stage by projecting Africa to the world and bringing the world to Africa, all while leveraging its inherent creativity for extensive growth and exposure.

The Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) has released its highly anticipated report on the growth, trends, and opportunities in the Nigerian creative and entertainment industry. It sheds light on the development and economic boom in Nigeria’s entertainment sector over the last ten years, as well as the prospects for the future of one of the continent’s fastest-growing industries.

According to the report produced by  ID Africa and BHM Research & Intelligence, a startling ₦1.3 billion investment over ten years has stimulated the industry and helped it reach previously unheard-of heights.

Known for convening the most significant gathering of entertainment professionals, the NECLive report offers an extensive analysis of the extraordinary strides made in Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries. Within this report, the conference also highlights its pivotal role and contributions in driving progress and advancement within the entertainment sector. The report underscores how NECLive, through its  ₦1.3 billion investment, has played a crucial part in shaping and propelling the industry forward, leaving a profound impact on Nigeria’s entertainment landscape, and significantly influencing its global standing.

Ayeni Adekunle, the conference’s convener, reflected on the journey and future plans, stating, “The inception of NECLive was rooted in the belief that the realm of possibilities knows no bounds; that with the right blend of education, networks, and determination, we have the power to accomplish anything we set our minds to. As Nigerian entertainers continue to shatter barriers and achieve unprecedented milestones, NECLive stands as a steadfast companion, guiding, inspiring, and reminding us that our potential is limitless. As we embark on the next transformative decade, be rest assured that NECLive has a renewed mission to embrace.”

Over the past decade, NECLive has emerged as a pioneering force, leading the charge in advocating for crucial matters within the entertainment industry. Its unwavering commitment to driving positive change has encompassed key areas such as fostering talent development, combating piracy, advocating for enhanced regulations within the industry, ensuring access to global opportunities, and facilitating international collaborations. Similarly, the Nigerian entertainment and creative industry has witnessed significant growth. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the entertainment industry now accounts for 1.45% of Nigeria’s GDP. 

Femi Falodun, a director at BHM and committee member of NECLive, emphasised the significance of the impact report by stating,“NECLive has consistently served as the go-to platform for spotlighting critical issues within the entertainment industry. Over the past 10 years, NECLive has brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, investors, creatives, and technical experts, to collaborate and devise effective solutions. It is now time to unveil the remarkable impact that NECLive has made in driving positive change and advancement within the entertainment sector.”

One significant area of impact has been talent development within the entertainment industry, supporting workshops, training programs, mentorship opportunities, and nurturing the next generation of creative professionals. Recognizing the growing significance of digital platforms in the entertainment landscape, it has also provided a platform for conversations that promoted digital streaming and profitable distribution of content. Since its inception, NECLive has remained at the forefront of driving progress and innovation in the entertainment sector.

Overall, NECLive’s investments have been comprehensive and diverse, covering film, music, comedy, and fashion. With over 100,000 participants and a reach of over 1 million people, NECLive’s initiatives, including conferences, workshops, advocacy efforts, and more, have driven positive change and remarkable growth in Nigeria’s entertainment landscape. These initiatives have contributed to the remarkable growth and economic boom in Nigeria’s entertainment landscape, elevating its global standing and leaving a profound impact on the industry as a whole.

The ninth edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), West Africa’s biggest and longest-running gathering of entertainment and creative industry professionals, returns in-person for the first time since the coronavirus-pandemic took over the world.

The organisers of the Pan-African Conference, ID Africa has carefully selected renowned entertainment and creative experts from Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa to speak to the Conference’s theme, “ Sustaining the Africa Momentum” following the visible growth and global acceptance of African entertainment and creative works over the past 5 years.

The confirmed speakers who will discuss the topic from different perspectives including the social impact of entertainment and creative enterprise in African countries, and the economic impact on the lives of creatives are:

Audu Maikori

Born on August 13, 1975, in Kaduna, Audu Maikori is a Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, social activist and creative industry expert. He is also the Executive Vice Chairman of Chocolate City Group. Chocolate City is widely regarded as the biggest and most successful indigenous urban record label in Africa, which has signed notable artists, including Nigeria rapper M.I Abaga, Femi Kuti, Nosa, and others. Audu co-founded the record label in 2005. Read more about him here.

Adeola Oluwatobi

A graduate of Mass Communication Lagos State University, Adeola Oluwatobi is a highly motivated and driven-person. He has over seven years of experience in brand management, media advertising, and digital marketing, and is currently the Brand Marketing and Partnership Manager, West Africa for MultiChoice Connected Video. Keep reading for more about Adeola Oluwatobi here.

Henry Ekechukwu

Henry Ekechukwu is the CEO of Huce Valeries, a Nigerian communication design, and events management company. Since the inception of NECLive in 2013, Henry Ekechukwu, through Huce Valeries, has been responsible for the event coordination of NECLive. Henry is a graduate of communication and Language Art from the University of Ibadan, and also a Master’s degree holder in Media Management from the University of Westminster, London. Click here to keep reading about Henry.

Ayeni Adekunle

Ayeni Adekunle is the Convener and Chairman of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), West Africa’s largest gathering of entertainment industry experts. He hosted the first edition of NECLive in 2013 and it has consistently been a recurring annual event except in 2020 when it was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more on Ayeni Adekunle’s insight about NECLive.

Iyabo Ojo

Iyabo Ojo is a renowned Nigerian actress, director, and producer. Also an entrepreneur, founder, and president of Pinkies Foundation, she is also one of the ladies in the popular Showmax reality TV show, The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOLagos).

Read more about Iyabo Ojo’s role at NECLive here.

Ifeanyi Okonkwo

Ifeanyi Okonkwo is a Senior Associate at the leading firm, Jackson, Etti & Edu.

He has vast experience spanning over 7 years focused on Intellectual Property (IP), commercial IP, technology, data, and business law practice. He is a Faculty member at the prestigious Tekedia Institute where he teaches practical intellectual property. He is also the Team Lead of the Research Committee of the Intellectual Property Committee of the NBA-SBL; and a Google Scholar with over 25 stimulating IP works (International and local) to his name.

Keep reading about the Google Scholar here.

Dare Art Alade

Dare Art Alade is an award-winning singer and record producer. He has successfully worked as a radio and TV personality, a judge and host of musical competitions like Nigerian Idol, The Voice Nigeria, and Project Fame West Africa.

Apart from music, Darey is the creative director of Livespot360, a 360° creative solution company that has organised renowned concerts like The Falz Experience. Keep reading about Darey here.

Segun Adefila

Segun Adefila is a multidisciplinary artist and a renowned choreographer, actor, singer, director and performance artist. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Crown Troupe of Africa, a theatre company that integrates dance, drama, music, and visual arts with inclinations toward African cultural heritage.

His works are inclined towards experimental physical theatre and he is always expanding the frontier of his Art. In 2009, Adefila was nominated for the Africa Movie Academy Award in the Most Promising Actor category for his role in ‘Arugba.’

Read more here.

Elizabeth Sobowale

Elizabeth Sobowale is a creative strategist and talent manager with over seven years of experience in branding. The talent manager founded a talent agency, ‘Brand and Stitch’, developing African creatives within and outside the continent. Through this medium, she has managed artistes like DJ Cuppy.

In 2022, she was appointed as Program Director of the Music Business Academy for Africa, a platform dedicated to developing an informed and empowered workforce for the African Music and Entertainment Industry.

Read more here.

Bada Akintunde-Johnson

Bada Akintunde-Johnson is the Country Manager of ViacomCBS Network Africa. At ViacomCBS Network Africa, Bada Akintunde-Johnson oversees entertainment brands such as MTV Base, Nickelodeon, BET, and Comedy Central, where he uses his nearly two decades of experience in the media and entertainment industry to help African creatives tell better stories.

Read more here.

Sylvester Chauke

Sylvester Chauke is the founder of the marketing and brand consultancy company, DNA Brand Architects. He is also the former Director of Marketing at MTV Networks Africa and an expert in brand building, youth entrepreneurship, brand strategy and marketing communications.
Sylvester is notable for his influence on the younger generation in becoming a global success. The multi-award-winning innovative leader is the recipient of significant awards including, All Africa Young Leader of the Year 2017, NSBC Innovation Award Winner 2017, NSBC National Entrepreneur Champion 2017, GQ’s Top 35 Influential Men under 30, and Most Influential Young South African in Business.
Read more here.

Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi

Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi is a co-founder and co-executive producer of Africa’s most promising media and entertainment startups, TNC Africa.
Gbemi OO as she’s popularly called, is a former broadcaster at The Beat 99.9 FM and also the co-host of ‘Off-Air with Gbemi & Toolz.’ During her over 14 years of on-air hosting, she has won numerous prestigious awards including Future Awards Africa’s 2008 on-air personality of the year.
Read more here.

Toyin Lawani

Toyin Lawani is the founder, creative director, and CEO of Nigeria’s celebrities to-go fashion brand, Tiannah’s Place Empire. She owns and manages 33 other brands under her wings at Tiannah’s Place Empire including, Tiannah Styling Fashion Academy, Exquisite Magazine, and Tiannah’s Glow. Also the author of “The Business Mogul Guide,” Toyin is currently one of the cast of Showmax reality TV show,  The Real Housewives of Lagos. Read more here.

Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun

Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun is the Head of Programmes at News Central, a pan-African TV station broadcasting in Lagos.
In a media career spanning over a decade, she has interviewed several African creatives and consulted with non-governmental organisations to work on media campaigns to aid civic participation, government transparency, and accountability.

Read more here.

Tee-Y Mix

Tee-Y Mix is the CEO and Founder of Vivace Records, a record label launched in 2014 to help alleviate the pain of talented artistes who struggle to realise their potential in the music industry. He appeared as a judge on Project Fame West Africa in 2008 and won the Headies Award for Best Music Producer in 2012. As a music producer and songwriter, Tee-Y mix has worked with Sound Sultan, Davido, Iyanya, Reekado Banks, 9ice, Seyi Shay, Darey Art-Alade and a wide range of Nigerian music stars.

Read more here.

Osi Suave

Osi Suave is an On-Air Personality at Beat FM. He will join the conversation at NECLive as crucial industry stakeholders engage in the very-much needed discourse focusing on economic power for self and country, opportunities via communities of Africans in the diaspora and social impact and development through entertainment.

Read more here.

Akin Oyebode

Oyebode, a trained Economist with a banking career spanning over a decade, was the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) before the Ekiti State Government tapped him as Special Adviser to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Investment, Trade and Innovations in 2018. In 2020, he was appointed Finance Commissioner for the state.

Read more here.

Obi Asika

Obi Asika is the founder and CEO of Storm 360, an indigenous music label, and founding partner of Dragon Africa. The strategic communications firm is renowned for his significant influence in Nigeria’s music industry and is prominent for laying the infrastructure for the growth and development of the media and entertainment industry.

Read more about Obi Asika here.

Mozez Praiz

Known for his engaging and galvanising TV presentations, Mozez Praiz is the anchor of Naija Made, a DStv sports programme focused on the Nigerian premier league. Praiz was employed by SuperSport in 2007 as a production coordinator but has since made his mark as a vivid presenter.
Read more here.

Busola Tejumola

Tejumola is the Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice, a role that allows her to drive the end to end development and execution of content strategy for MultiChoice Nigeria including the Africa Magic and Akwaaba Group Channels, strongly contributing to the growth and bottom-line of the business.
Read more here.

Aline Gahongayire

Aline Gahongayire is an award-winning artiste from Kigali, Rwanda, known for her inspirational and spirit-filled songs. The songwriter is famed for her powerful singing voice.

Aside from music, she has also featured in the educational Christian movie ‘Ikigeragezo cy’ubuzima.’ Gahongayire is also a TV host and the founder of Ineza Initiative- a giving back to the community project which focuses on touching the lives of women and children.

Read more here.

Tunde Onakoya

Tunde Onakoya, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa. He has been using the Chess in Slums initiative to provide help to children living in slums. In 2021, Neusroom did a special report released in a series detailing the stories of some of the children and adults living under the bridges in Oshodi who have benefitted from the initiative.
Read more here.

Mr Macaroni
Mr Macaroni is an actor and comedian who combines activism with his comic skits. Fast becoming an important figure, he is an AMVCA nominee for Best Online Content Creator and has amassed millions of followers on his social media platforms.
Read more here.

NECLive9 is organised by ID Africa in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria 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, News Central TV, K-Square, EDS One Data, Seats and Tickets, Alla Dave, and DJ Jimmy Jatt.

The special conference will hold at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island Lagos, and stream live at HipTV on DStv channel 324 and GOtv channel 74, or nec.ng.