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At NECLive 2025, advertising mogul Steve Babaeko weighed in on the global conversation surrounding Nigerian music, urging fans and industry players not to cancel Burna Boy despite controversies surrounding the superstar. Babaeko, a veteran in Nigeria’s creative and advertising industry, emphasized the importance of separating the artist’s personal missteps from his significant contributions to African music and culture.

According to Babaeko, Burna Boy has been a trailblazer for Nigerian artists on the global stage, opening doors for the Afrobeats genre and shining a spotlight on the continent’s creative potential. “We must celebrate what he has done for Africa’s music scene while holding constructive conversations about accountability,” he said. Babaeko stressed that cancel culture can sometimes overshadow the value of artistic contributions and urged a more nuanced approach to evaluating artists’ legacies, particularly those shaping Nigeria’s presence in the global entertainment ecosystem.

NECLive 2025 has reportedly opened discussions with music executive Matthew Knowles regarding a potential partnership aimed at expanding creative collaborations and industry opportunities. The conversation reflects NECLive’s ongoing mission to connect African creatives with global entertainment leaders, fostering cross-border innovation and growth in the continent’s entertainment ecosystem. This statement was announced at NECLive 2025.

Matthew Knowles is an American music executive, entrepreneur, and talent manager, widely recognized for managing Destiny’s Child and launching the solo careers of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. He is the founder of Music World Entertainment, a label and management company that has shaped global pop and R&B for decades. Beyond artist management, Knowles is a speaker, author, and professor, teaching courses on the music business, leadership, and the global entertainment industry.

At NECLive 2025, Ayeni Adekunle, founder of Black House Media and NECLive Convener, noted that creativity is far more than content production; it is a strategic force for shaping narratives, shifting perceptions, and redefining how the world sees Nigeria and Africa.

He explained that storytelling and intentional creativity can influence global understanding at a time when major powers like America and China remain key stakeholders in Nigeria’s future.

Ayeni noted that despite Africa’s immense cultural wealth, the world still struggles to grasp the depth of African creativity. “The world deserves and should understand African creativity better,” he said. This understanding, he argued, becomes even more important as Nigeria grapples with internal crises, especially insecurity, that require new forms of social connection and national imagination.

According to him, creativity can help foster understanding both within Nigeria, between Nigeria and the world by building empathy, bridging cultural gaps, and offering new narratives that counter stereotypes.

Going further he also highlighted the challenges ahead. “But What is it going to cost us to get to that place? Nigeria is a poor country and we’re a poor people,” he said. “But we’re potentially rich, we have natural resources and brilliant creative people.”

He pointed to Hollywood as an example of what long-term vision and investment can achieve. Building such an industry, he explained, takes years of commitment, strategy, and infrastructure.

Nigeria, he believes, already has the young talent imaginative, bold, and globally competitive. What is needed now is sustained vision and support.

“We have the potential,” Ayeni concluded. “What we need is the vision to match it.”

Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi is joining the #NECLive2025 lineup as a moderator!

She will bring her experience, insight, and sharp conversational skills to the conference, helping guide discussions that matter to the future of the industry.

Join her at Landmark Events Centre tomorrow, Friday, November 28, 2025, at 9 AM when industry experts converge to chart a new course for the booming industry.

Atteh Daniel Tioluwa also known as Sir Dee, a former housemate on Big Brother NaijaSeason 4 (Pepper Dem Gang). He is a graphic designer from Kogi state who was known for his calm and collected demeanor in the house which made him a fan favorite.

After leaving the show, he got married in November 2024. After his time on the show, he has been involved in business and even went on the become the brand ambassador for the Macallan Whiskey.

So Join us at Landmark Events Centre on the 28th of November, 2025. Time 9am.

The 2025 Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) returns with the theme “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” As Africa’s biggest gathering of creators, innovators, and media leaders, NECLive 2025 brings together industry experts for a full day of talks, workshops, performances, and networking to explore the future of Africa’s creative industries.

The event begins at 9:00 AM at the Landmark Events Centre, featuring red-carpet livestreams, exhibitions, and interactive sessions. Attendees can join hands-on workshops on acting, branding, design, and storytelling, while keynote speeches and panel discussions cover important topics like creative infrastructure, funding, digital growth, and global opportunities. Performances by Timi Dakolo and Gaise Baba will keep the energy high throughout the day.

Keynote Addresses

From Hustle to Infrastructure: The Blueprint for Africa’s Creative Economy
Time: 11:20 AM – 11:30 AM (10 Minutes)
By: Steve Babaeko

Steve Babaeko’s keynote address, will be about “From Hustle to Infrastructure: The Blueprint for Africa’s Creative Economy.” Africa is bursting with talent and creativity, but what’s missing is the structure to take it to the next level. Drawing on his experience building one of the continent’s most respected global creative agencies, Babaeko will reveal the systems, support frameworks, and long-term strategies needed to turn individual brilliance into industry-wide impact. This is a must-see session for creators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders ready to discover how to move from surviving on grit to building a sustainable creative ecosystem that can truly flourish.

Accessing the Global Creative Innovation in a Digital Economy
Time: 12:40 PM – 12:50 PM (10 Minutes)
By: A’isha Umar Mumuni – Chief Digital Officer, MTN

A’isha Umar Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer at MTN, will deliver a keynote highlighting Africa’s abundant talent, creative enterprises, and cultural capital, while addressing the current lack of full access to the global creative economy. She will explore the policy, business, storytelling, and technological changes needed to position Africa as a global creative exporter, and emphasize collaboration between government and private sectors to drive economic growth, digital inclusion, and international relevance.

The Future of Africa Is Creative
Time: 3:05 PM – 3:15 PM (10 Minutes)
By: Atinuke Babatunde – Head of Content, MultiChoice West Africa

Atinuke Babatunde will deliver a powerful address on why Africa’s economic future depends on its creators. She will highlight the creative sector’s potential to generate jobs, build global brands, and reshape the continent’s narrative, while emphasizing the need for aligned policy, capital, and infrastructure. She will also share insights on how MultiChoice plans to support creative enterprises and creators through upcoming strategic investments.

How Nollywood Works: The Pinpoint Media Example
Time: 3:50 PM – 4:00 PM (10 Minutes)
By: Chris Ihidero – Founder & CEO, Pinpoint Media & Executive Producer

In this session, celebrated filmmaker and media executive Chris Ihidero tells the story behind a bold experiment – how Pinpoint Media is proving that with the right structure, creative excellence can attract serious investment. Through the lens of a real project that moved from concept to fully funded production, Ihidero unpacks how equity funding can unlock Africa’s creative potential, not just for one film, but for an entire ecosystem.

Panel Sessions

11:30 AM – 12:10 PM | Building Creative Infrastructure to Power Africa’s Economic Growth
Panelists: Steve Babaeko, Molehi Molekoa, Shaibu Husseini, Colette Otusheso
Moderator: Seyitan Atigarin
Summary: Discusses the real-world scaffolding needed to elevate Africa’s creative industries, including production spaces, collaboration hubs, systems for distribution and royalties, technology, and reliable utilities like electricity and broadband.

12:10 PM – 12:40 PM | Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise
Panelists: Dolapo Amusat, Chichi Nwoko, Yinka Obebe, Hauwa Lawal, Mike Dada
Moderator: Henry Ekechukwu
Summary: Explores what it truly means to power Africa through creativity, covering policy, governance, innovation, infrastructure, global collaboration, monetization, AI, GenZ culture, and transgenerational content creation.

12:50 PM – 1:30 PM | Accessing the Global Creative Innovation in a Digital Economy
Panelists: A’isha Umar Mumuni, Funso Finnih, Dominique Ntirushwa, Hugo Obi, Salem King
Moderator: Tomiwo Ojo
Summary: Explores how African creators can build globally valuable IP, establish fair distribution pipelines, leverage diaspora networks, utilize streaming technology, and create sustainable, globally competitive content.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Money Moves: Investment & Monetization of the Creative Economy
Panelists: Mary Njoku, Yinka Ijabiyi, Nora Awolowo, Jide Taiwo
Moderator: Hero Daniels
Summary: Discusses funding strategies, sustainable business models, bridging investment gaps, and turning creative work into capital while supporting African creative entrepreneurs.

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Africa’s Goldmine: Sound, Story & Global Stage
Panelists: Aare Abisoye Fagade, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Moses Babatope, Tari Taylaur
Moderator: Kolapo Olapoju
Summary: Highlights Africa’s cultural exports (music, film, fashion, and art), identifies infrastructure gaps, explores protecting intellectual property, and shows how African creativity is shaping global culture.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Timeless Vs Trending: Building Work That Endures
Educator: Daniel Atteh
Panelists: Hammed Adebiyi, Mai Atafo, Beauty Tukura, Ayeni Adekunle
Moderator: Njideka Akabogu Eke-Uche
Summary: Examines balancing timeless craftsmanship with fast-moving trends to create enduring creative work that influences culture and storytelling across industries.

3:15 PM – 3:50 PM | The Future of Africa Is Creative (in partnership with MultiChoice)
Panelists: Atinuke Babatunde, Victor Aghahowa, Kola Omotoso, Emmanuel Adejo Edebo
Moderator: Osikhena Dirisu
Summary: Celebrates MultiChoice as a creative enabler; explores how platforms and ecosystems empower storytellers, drive collaboration, and take African stories to global audiences.

4:00 PM – 4:20 PM | Funding The Creative Enterprise Ecosystem
Panelists: Chris Ihidero, Folu Storms, Adekunle Adebiyi, Ayo Mafoluku (Ayo Maff)
Moderator: Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi
Summary: Explores structured funding, investment-worthiness, balancing creative control with financial accountability, building investor trust, and strengthening Africa’s creative ecosystem.

4:20 PM – 4:50 PM | Innovation & Creativity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Panelists: Chidi Aneto Okeke, Fisayo Fosudo, Qudus Onikeku, Ojoma Ochai, Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson
Moderator: Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun
Summary: Discusses AI’s impact on creative industries, legal and ethical issues, job disruption, skill development, and how African creators can use AI as a tool rather than a replacement.

4:50 PM – 5:10 PM | Past, Present and Future of African Music (A Chocolate City Conversation)
Panelists: Audu Maikori, Blackbonez, Abuchi Peter Ugwu
Moderator: Ibukun “Aibee” Abidoye
Summary: Explores African music’s evolution, its global impact, and the business, creativity, and innovation driving the sound and culture of Africa through Chocolate City’s lens.

5:10 PM – 5:40 PM | The Digital Ecosystem: Addressing Misuse and Its Impact (Lagos Talks Podcast)
Panelists: Deji Awokoya, Temilola Balogun, Kodichinma Anigbogu
Moderator: Oluwakayode Iposu
Summary: Examines misuse of digital spaces, cultural and commercial consequences, accountability, and building safer, responsible online communities in Africa.

Performances & Special Sessions

10:00–10:15 AM – The Improv Circle
High-energy, unscripted performance engaging the audience in interactive improvisation.

10:30–10:55 AM – Fitness, Wellness & Creativity – Ekemini Ekerette
Highlights the role of physical and mental well-being in sustaining creativity.

11:05 AM – Opening Performance: Timi Dakolo
Live performance to kick off the conference, as he’s set to thrill the audience with some of his best hits such as ‘Great Nation’ and ‘Iyawo Mi.’

3:00–3:05 PM – Performance: Gaise Baba
Live musical performance energizing the afternoon sessions after multiple panel sessions. He will treat the audience to a live performance of his 2025 viral track ‘No Turning Back.’

The NECLive 2025 is set to be an event that will be remembered. Do not miss this, as these are what we have planned for you to enjoy your day at NECLive 2025.

Mai Atafo is a celebrated fashion designer whose influence is rooted in his mastery of bespoke tailoring and his role in elevating the standard of menswear in Nigeria. His brand, ATAFO, is synonymous with luxury and sophistication, dressing celebrities and high-profile figures across the continent. He has dressed numerous celebrities, including Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, IK Osakioduwa and Timi Dakolo, making it a staple on red carpets of major events.

Atafo has consistently won major awards, including Designer of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards and Menswear Designer of the Year at the Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week. Beyond his designs, he mentors younger designers. He plays the role of a standard-bearer for quality and professionalism, inspiring a generation of African designers to pursue excellence in their craft.

So Join us at Landmark Events Centre on the 28th of November, 2025. Time 9am.

A journalist and award-winning former news anchor and TV show host at leading African networks broadcasting globally, Lamide Akintobi has over 15 years’ experience in front of and behind the camera. In addition to running her boutique media services company, she is currently a cross-platform producer and digital contributor at CNN International, producing a range of TV shows and crafting and hosting digital content for the channel.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism & Spanish from Texas A&M University – Commerce and a master’s degree in international journalism from City University, London.

So Join us at Landmark Events Centre on the 28th of November, 2025. Time 9am.

Blaqbonez, a rapper, disruptor, and one of Nigeria’s boldest creative voices, joins the NECLive 2025 lineup. Known for his sharp wit, fearless storytelling, and genre-bending style, he has built one of the most loyal fan bases in African rap by staying unapologetically authentic and redefining what creativity looks like in the digital age.

Beyond his viral moments and disruptive persona, Blaqbonez has multiple chart-topping singles like “Back in Uni,” “Bling,” “Haba,” “Shut Up,” and “Like Ice Spice,” he continues to shape the sound of contemporary Nigerian hip-hop and push culture forward through music, visuals, and bold innovation.

Hear him speak at NECLive 2025. November 28 at Landmark Events Centre by 9am