Year 2023 churned out many captivating stories. From the general election to inflation and fuel subsidy removal. Beyond these not-so-feel-good tales, the Nigerian creative industry beat louder than ever, echoing stories of resilience, innovation, and transformative endeavours. This was seen in the investments, talents and knowledge of outstanding personalities who are committed to nurturing the new wave of creatives. From notable businessmen to industry stakeholders, we take a look at these individuals and the ways they influenced and contributed to the global appeal
of the creative industry, writes Vanessa Obioha
Tony Elumelu
One of the most revered Nigerian economists and philanthropists, Tony Elumelu’s passion for the creative arts radiates through his every endeavour. Whether via his eponymous foundation, Tony Elumelu Foundation, or his various businesses, Elumelu’s unwavering support for the industry, has become a beacon for both established and aspiring creatives.
This year, the philanthropist rewarded 17 African storytellers who participated in the Tony Elumelu Storytellers Fund, a CSR initiative sponsored by Heirs Insurance Limited (HIL) and Heirs Life Assurance (HLA), in partnership with Africa No Filter (ANF). In November, his foundation TEF partnered with the U.S. government to remove barriers hindering the growth of the creative industry and ensure its global reach.
Amidst the glitz of his Christmas White Party, where Nigerian music superstars like Burna Boy and Wizkid grace the stage, Elumelu’s love for the creative pulse resonates, solidifying his role as a patron of Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
Deola Art Alade
One of the most creative minds Nigeria has ever produced, Deola Art Alade, the wife of Nigerian singer Darey Art Alade is quietly transforming lives in Nigeria’s creative landscape through the Livespot360 Foundation. Her impact extends beyond creative realms, as she not only mentors talents in film, music, and arts but also uplifts the less fortunate, integrating them into her company for meaningful employment.
Her biggest investment in the creative space so far is the Entertainment Week Lagos (EWL), a convergence of stakeholders and talents in the creative space where issues about the industry are plumbed while providing a platform for emerging creatives like artists Konstance and Pharaoh 47, to showcase their skills. Deola’s overarching vision is to continue shaping lives within the creative sphere, fostering growth and skill enhancement through mentorship and support.
Linus Idahosa
The President and CEO of Del-York International, Linus Idahosa reached a pivotal moment in African entertainment with the launch of the Lagos Film City project, also known as Kebulania, this year.
This groundbreaking initiative, developed over three years, and in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and US development partners, Storyland Studios, not only marks a significant achievement in reshaping Africa’s film industry but also emerges as a potent economic catalyst.
Through strategic partnerships and dedicated efforts, it is set to enhance Africa’s global entertainment presence, acting as a tool for soft diplomacy, and showcasing cultural richness and economic potential.
Idahosa prioritizes vocational-technical education in Africa, evident in the Del-York Creative Academy, an international film and TV institute he founded in 2010. With multiple branches nationwide, it focuses on nurturing the next generation of creative professionals. He achieved a significant stride with the introduction of the Youth in Animation and Post-Production Initiative (YAPPI) this year. The nine-month program aims to develop 60,000 Nigerian students in 3D animation and post-production over five years. This initiative aligns with the goal of positioning African talents at the forefront of the rapidly growing global animation industry, projected to reach 600 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, reflecting his vision of integrating education with industry needs for sustainable economic growth.
Beyond entertainment, Idahosa’s influence extended to diplomatic and business realms, strengthening ties between the U.S. and Nigeria spanning the entertainment, film, mining, and defence industries.
Chioma Ude
For over a decade, Chioma Ude has been the visionary driving force behind the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), pushing African cinema beyond borders.
AFRIFF has evolved into more than just a film festival; it’s a dynamic hub fostering collaborations, providing training, catalyzing coproductions, facilitating acquisitions, securing funding, and contributing to the construction of vital facilities and structures.
This year’s AFRIFF again presented an opportunity for African cinema to take the global stage, drawing not only the gaze of creatives but also garnering recognition from governments, international agencies, and corporate entities. The Lagos State Government, in particular, embraced the festival, standing as a testament to its impact on the cultural and economic landscape.
For her endeavours, Ude was earlier in the year recognised by Forbes Afrique as one of the Top 50 Women of 2023, joining the likes of Ngozi Okonji-Iweala and other influential females. The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) attuned to her exceptional contributions, awarded her a special honour for her unparalleled role in fostering the growth and development of the film industry.
John Ugbe
When it comes to telling authentic Nigerian stories that celebrate the diversity and creativity of the country and Africa at large, John Ugbe stands as a towering figure.
As the bespectacled CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, Ugbe has not only steered the ship of one of the leading media and entertainment companies but has also been a fervent advocate for training and mentoring creatives.
Under his leadership, MultiChoice has become a crucible for creativity, fostering talent through initiatives like the MultiChoice Talent Factory. Beyond this, the company provides a dynamic stage for creatives to share their stories through the Africa Magic Channels and the streaming platform Showmax.
This year saw the premiere of an iteration of Big Brother Africa, Big Brother Titans which featured only Nigerians and South Africans, as well as the return of the cultural phenomenon, Big Brother Naija. This year’s winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, clinched the highest prize of the show, an astounding N120 million cash prize among other rewards.
Additionally, the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) served as a glittering acknowledgement of talents, honouring those both in front of and behind the camera across the continent.
Yet, Ugbe’s impact extends beyond the glitz of entertainment. His dedication is palpable in the collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders to tackle issues plaguing the film industry such as the roundtable on piracy that showcased not just MultiChoice’s readiness but its proactive stance in partnering with regulatory bodies and filmmakers to address the menacing challenge head-on.
Omoyemi Akerele
The buzz around sustainable fashion reverberated globally in 2023 and the lady behind Style House Files, a creative development agency catering to Nigerian and African designers, Omoyemi Akerele was at the forefront of this transformative dialogue.
Whether speaking at COP28 UAE, Global Fashion Summit or at the UNESCO launch of the groundbreaking report on African Fashion at Lagos Fashion Week (LFW) this year, Akerele’s message revolves around empowering a people-centred textile and apparel ecosystem across the continent that promotes responsible consumption and production. Akerele founded LFW over a decade ago with a mission to create value in the fashion industry by building a community that can project the African fashion industry on the global stage. She remains emphatic that the fashion and textile ecosystem can be a vehicle for socioeconomic change.
In the fashion world, she stands as a beacon of conscious change. Her vision goes beyond aesthetics, weaving a narrative where each thread is a step towards a more sustainable, empowered, and socially responsible future. Through her efforts, Akerele not only shapes the fashion landscape but contributes to a broader canvas of positive change for Africa and the global community.
Idris Olorunnimbe
During the U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemi’s visit to Nigeria this year, Ogidi Studios, owned by The Temple Management Company, was one of the places he visited. There, he was given a guided tour by the Group Chief Executive of The Temple Management Company, Idris Olorunnimbe. For Olorunnimbe, Adeyemo’s visit was a testament to the growing global acknowledgement of Nigeria’s creative prowess.
Described as a multifunctional facility encompassing all aspects of the creative industry, the studio not only served as a venue for exploration but also hosted seven American artist-educators from Next Level—the US Department of State’s dance and music exchange program. Their two-week residency became a nexus of mentorship, where seasoned artists imparted their knowledge to young, aspiring creatives.
Olorunnimbe’s commitment to fostering creativity was also seen this year during the graduation ceremony of the inaugural class of Gidi Creative Centre (GCC), a partnership between the Lagos State Government and The Temple Management Company to empower young creatives in the state.
The year-long program done in partnership with the University of Lagos and the Henley Business School trained 200 creatives in 10 different scopes including filmmaking, graphic design, fashion design, creative writing, audio engineering, production design and others.
The GCC initiative underscores Olorunnimbe’s dedication to nurturing a new generation of creatives. By providing the right training and access to state-of-the-art facilities, he not only empowers these individuals with skills but also creates a conducive environment for them to bring their visions to life.
Don Jazzy
The mastermind behind Mavin Records, Don Jazzy, solidified his position as music kingmaker this year with the success of his talents Rema and Ayra Starr. Both music stars fueled afrobeats global appeal with their respective remarkable strides. Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ featuring Selena Gomez made him the first African artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, earning him the title of the most exported Nigerian artist on the platform. Starr, on her part, became a first-time Grammy nominee.
These achievements, along with talents like Johnny Drille, underscore Don Jazzy’s lasting influence, harking back to his Mo’Hits era with Wande Coal and D’banj.
Mr Eazi
In 2023, music entrepreneur and famed artist Tosin Ajibade, better known as Mr. Eazi amidst his debut album ‘The Evil Genius’ and the accompanying art and music exhibition tour, took the spotlight with emPawa Publishing. Established in 2020, the platform, featuring talents like Tekno and Joeboy, celebrated a milestone, paying over One Billion Naira in royalties. It achieved this by fostering partnerships with various publishers like Kobalt Music Group to guarantee global recognition and rewards for the creations of its in-house talent.
Additionally, Mr. Eazi’s investment fund, Zagadat Capital, made a significant contribution to Un:hurd, an innovative artist marketing platform, through a seven-figure funding round in collaboration with Kobalt Capital.
Hilda Baci
Hilda Baci, a rising figure in both the media and culinary realms, catapulted into the spotlight with a record-breaking cook-a-thon, earning her a Guinness World Record in June 2023. The 93-hour, 11-minute feat not only secured her celebrity status but also ignited a trend among Nigerians to pursue various Guinness World Record attempts, ranging from cook-a-thons to hair-a-thons and massage-a-thons.
Baci’s record was so popular that it crashed the GWR site. The chef and restaurateur celebrity status has since expanded, from featuring in TV programmes to hosting cooking classes for young aspiring chefs. Baci’s popularity was further evident as she featured prominently on Google Search Lists of the Year in Nigeria. She was among the top 10 Most Searched People in Nigeria, Nigerian News, and Who is…
However, Baci’s reign came to an end in November when Irish chef Alan Fisher surpassed her record, cooking for an impressive 119 hours and 57 minutes.
