2024 Top Shapers & Shakers of Nigeria’s Culture Landscape

As the curtain closes on 2024, it’s clear that the realms of arts, entertainment, fashion, sports, and global discourse were shaped by a dynamic group of individuals whose creativity, vision and influence continue to captivate audiences worldwide. From groundbreaking moments to disruptive trends with some stirring heated debates, Adedayo Adejobi highlights the personalities that defied gravity this year.

Wole Soyinka –  Literature

This global humanist commands reverence and great admiration in the annals of African literary history. In July 2024, the Nobel Laureate, playwright, novelist, poet and essayist, Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde “Wole” Soyinka hit the ripe age of 90, and the world stood still in his honour, adoration, and celebration of the unparalleled literary giant.

A series of activities were activated in Nigeria and beyond the shores. President Bola Tinubu renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, after Soyinka, commemorating his landmark birthday. Professor Soyinka’s journey as a writer and activist began in earnest during Nigeria’s struggle for independence, and his works have since become synonymous with the fight against oppression and tyranny.Soyinka’s body of works- in summation- is a result of over seven decades of commitment to the cause of nation-building through his relentless fight for national interest that would ensure good governance for the wellbeing of the general citizenry and struggles as a nationalist, patriot, and humanist — as can be gleaned from his rich oeuvre of creative works and consistent public engagement.

Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebration embraced several programmes including, documentary film screenings, essay writing competitions, advocacy, music, and poetry performances- all grounded in his struggles to ensure social and cultural justice, freedom from all forms of shackles and respect for the fundamental human and civil rights of all.

Davido – Celebrity Wedding

Davido held a no-holds-barred wedding #Chivido2024 with his long-time partner, Chioma, shutting down Lagos in June. With the rain pouring relentlessly on Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, fans and guests thronged the traffic gridlocked streets of Victoria Island, just to attend the wedding venue, Harbour Point Event Centre. Both events staged by Davido, remain the number one event of 2024 to beat. A celebrity of his status couldn’t escape skirmishes and scandals- some of which marked a watershed in his life in the year under review. Later in the year, Davido’s remarks on Nigeria in an infamous podcast was a major table shaker as he lamented over the current economic crisis in Nigeria while discouraging international visitors from coming to the country.

Victor Osimhen- Sports

With the 25-year-old striker being arguably the most coveted striker in the 2024 transfer window, owing to his resolve never to settle for less, Nigerian-born Galatasaray striker became one of the richest Super Eagles players in 2024, hitting a net worth of $10 million at his new club signing, boasting a market value of €100m.

The reigning African footballer of the year has seen his stock grow in recent years. In the 2023/24 season, the Serie A winner reached double figures in terms of goals scored, and he has already opened his account for Galatasaray. With the next transfer window approaching in January 2025, one notable player that top flight football clubs are looking to hunt is Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen.

Tems-Music

Nigerian singer-songwriter, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems achieved another milestone as her debut album, ‘Born in the Wild’ ranked No. 2 on Billboard’s Best R&B Albums of 2024. As the only African artist on the list, which features renowned names like Chris Brown, Billboard praised her debut album, describing it as a project that transcends the Afrobeats genre.

Trailing this success, Tems also bagged three nominations at the 67th Grammy Awards taking place early 2025. Tems’ rise to reckoning has been nothing short of swift.  Her music, a soulful blend of Afrobeats and R&B, has resonated with audiences worldwide. This global reach is a clear indication of her widespread appeal.

Funke Akindele – Movies

This film producer and actress records a success story this year with her various movies released in 2024, raking in a breathtaking box office N1billion figure with the movie “A Tribe Called Judah.” The movie became the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time in 2024 surpassing her previous record with “Battle on Buka Street.” It is instructive to note that Funke Akindele has become Nollywood’s poster girl for box office success in Nollywood especially at a time when Nigeria ramps up its resolve to gain greater international recognition.

Aside making huge success in the movies, Akindele, widely known by the screen character ‘Jenifa’, recently shocked Nigerians with her Christmas medley titled: ‘Everybody Loves Christmas,’ a song produced by Cobhams Asuquo featuring comedians, notable musicians and popular Nollywood greats like Dbanj, Waje, Falz, Jide Kosoko, Patience Ozokwo and Lateef Adedimeji. The video sets a new record for Nigerian Christmas songs. Original and true to its Nigerian roots, the colourful yet impressive music video taps into our collective love and appreciation for Nigerian jollof rice and chicken, friendship, family, and crucially the central theme of love at Christmas.

Burna Boy – Music

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy began 2024 with a remarkably scintillating performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards for the first time. With a record 11 Grammy nominations, winning one, the self-acclaimed ‘African Giant’ landed a spot as one of TIME 2024 Most Influential 100 People.

The latter part of the year, however, ended on a rather rattling note, as Burna and comedian Speed Darlington had an impasse which is to date unresolved seeing the latter in police custody. Concerned parties have, however, thrown shades at Burna Boy for intimidating Darlington and not holding a higher ground.

Away from the rancour, Nigerian music superstar, Burna Boy, in the last quarter of 2024 got nominated for the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Kemi Badenochv – Politics

Ideally, Kemi Badenoch’s election as the head of Britain’s Conservative Party and also the opposition in Parliament should bring joy, reassurance, and pride to Nigerians in diaspora who long for signs of redemption and perhaps, representation. Her rather unflattering comments on Nigeria made the euphoria go sour.

Her constant criticism as well as comparison of the United Kingdom with Nigeria has divided the polity. Her critics believe that those comments were inappropriate especially when uttered while addressing global media. Vice President, Kassim Shettima called out the Conservative party leader on account of her rather disparaging comments which some considered to be factual nonetheless. Indeed, she is a major table shaker of the year.

Ademola Lukman – Sports

Away from the overarching economic doom, one footballer that made Nigeria and Nigerians very proud on the global stage is Lukman Ademola. Aside from being the 2024 winner or the 2024 CAF player of the year, sparking speculations about a future Ballon d’Or win, the Nigerian winger’s elite status through his heartfelt speech, exemplified the true spirit of a proud Nigerian with his positive mindset and unwavering confidence.

In what could be termed his first major moment in global spotlight, the footballer who dressed in an impressive yet flowing green Agbádá at the CAF Awards ceremony, proudly showcased his identity as a Nigerian, leveraging the moment to celebrate the true unique essence of his royalty and identity. The remarkable speech, no doubt, left every Nigerian detribalised and grinning with immense pride-showcasing our collective resilience, knack for hard work, discipline and commitment to set goals.

Lukman’s journey encapsulates the idea of finding where you truly belong. From struggling to make an impact in the Premier League and enduring the heartbreak of a missed penalty to becoming a European champion and Africa’s finest, his story inspires anyone facing challenges to redefine their narrative and embrace their unique path.

Chidimma Adetshina  – Beauty Pageantry

It was a tumultuous journey for the 23-year-old Chidimma Adetshina who almost didn’t reach the Miss Universe stage in South Africa following online attacks about her Nigerian identity. Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant on August 8, writing on Instagram that it was “for the safety and wellbeing of my family.” Less than a week later, she was invited to compete for the Miss Nigeria title, which she won on August 31.

Her venture into beauty pageant made her a most polarising figure in African discourse this year sparking online outrage and rivalry between netizens in Nigeria and South Africa. In October 2024, the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa revoked her South African identity papers following an investigation into her mother’s origins which was deemed fraudulent.

Having won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, she represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico and finished as the first runner-up. She was also crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania as the highest ranked African Contestant of 2024. Her placement is Nigeria’s highest at any Miss Universe pageant.

Lanre Da Silva – Fashion

Her newfound love, promoting sustainability through fashion, gained full expression in late 2024 when Lanre Da Silva staged fashion runway Runway Renaissance Initiative.

Known for her signature blend of Nigerian fabrics with luxury haute couture, Lanre Da Silva beautifully showcased  “Blossom” collection, in bold, vibrant prints and elegant designs. She is creating an incredible platform that promotes sustainability and empowering emerging designers- celebrating individuality, confidence, and the vibrant spirit of Nigerian fashion. Kudos to Da Silva for inspiring a more conscious approach to fashion, benefiting both people and the planet.

Bolanle Austen-Peters -Stage & Screen

It’s been an incredible year of feats for award-winning film director, producer and cultural entrepreneur, Bolanle Austen-Peters, who unveiled her 10,000-acre BAP film village in Epe, Lagos State.

The 55-year-old filmmaker, who is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions, revealed that her Netflix film, House of GA’A, was shot at the film village. Her stake in the movie industry was further raised with the award-winning biopic Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, which went from cinema to become a favourite African movie on Amazon Prime which is a reenactment of the story of a trail-blazing women rights’ advocate, educator and political campaigner.

The Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) also was Austen-Peters’ brainchild which had its first edition in November. A unique platform that assembled an array of creative talents, including actors, directors, playwrights, and filmmakers from around the world, it was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

Peller – Content Creation

This young livestreamer has found his way into the hearts of many Nigerian celebrities as well as global admirers. Carving a niche on Tiktok with his ‘bad diction,’ Peller featured Davido on one of his livestreams and the show became the most watched live stream in Africa. The 19-year-old Peller’s journey on TikTok began in 2023, inspired by the likes of American livestreamer Kai Cenat. He collaborated with fellow TikToker, Elizabeth Aminata Amadu from Benin, Edo State, known as Jadrolita and Jarvis for her AI alter ego, noted for her robotic persona, dubbed the “TikTok AI robot.

This collaboration marked a turning point in Peller’s career, as they began creating content together, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and entertaining their audience with hilarious skits and live streams. Their partnership soon transcended TikTok, expanding to other platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Peller has over two million followers on his TikTok account and continues to bring his ingenuity into content creation using the ‘semi-literate’ formula that had worked for the likes of Falz and Funke Akindele.

Lanre Da Silva – Fashion

Her newfound love, promoting sustainability through fashion, gained full expression in late 2024 when Lanre Da Silva staged fashion runway Runway Renaissance Initiative.

Known for her signature blend of Nigerian fabrics with luxury haute couture, Lanre Da Silva beautifully showcased  “Blossom” collection, in bold, vibrant prints and elegant designs. She is creating an incredible platform that promotes sustainability and empowering emerging designers- celebrating individuality, confidence, and the vibrant spirit of Nigerian fashion. Kudos to Da Silva for inspiring a more conscious approach to fashion, benefiting both people and the planet.