The atmosphere in Lagos is electric as the city prepares for the grand finale of the 9th AFRIMA awards tomorrow. This year’s celebration of African music has been a week-long marathon of glitz and rhythm, the climax is set to take place at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island. The event, which will be broadcast to over 84 countries, serves as the ultimate stage for the continent’s biggest stars to find out who truly rules the charts.
The race for the night’s top honors is incredibly tight, with Burna Boy, Davido, and South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa leading the pack with five nominations each. Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” and Davido’s “5ive” are both heavy favorites for the prestigious Album of the Year title. Meanwhile, Morocco’s rap sensation El Grande Toto is also in the mix for the same category with his project “Salgoat.” Fans are also keeping a close eye on Nigeria’s street-pop star Shallipopi, who has bagged four nominations, including a nod for Artiste of the Year.
Beyond the trophies, the scale of this year’s event is staggering. AFRIMA President Mike Dada revealed that over 1,200 participants, including 732 artists and their managers, have touched down in Lagos. He noted that the sheer number of visitors is a massive boost for the local economy and tourism. During a welcome event hosted by the British High Commission, Dada emphasized that AFRIMA is about more than just music; it is a tool for peace, integration, and showing the world the shared humanity that exists across all cultures.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, also praised the global influence of African sounds, noting how Afrobeats is currently dominating the UK charts. This sentiment was echoed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who described Lagos as the cultural capital of Africa a place where talent is given the opportunity to scale and compete on a global level.
The journey to tomorrow’s main event began on Wednesday with a welcome soiree, followed by a music business summit on Thursday and a massive concert at the Ikeja City Mall on Friday. With more than 25 A-list performers and DJs ready to hit the stage tomorrow, the finale promises to be a historic night for African entertainment.
