Nigerian Entertainment Conference 2025 to Explore Creative Economy

The Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) is set to return to Lagos on November 28, 2025, with a focus on strengthening the economic sustainability of Nigeria’s creative industries. Under the theme “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise,” this year’s gathering highlights the shift from cultural celebration to economic impact, as various sectors such as Afrobeats and Nollywood have gained significant global recognition.

Since its inception in 2013, NECLive has become West Africa’s premier platform for the creative sector, hosting over 500 keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions. More than 100,000 participants have attended the conference, which has reached an audience exceeding 100 million people across 50 countries. It has facilitated over 1,000 industry deals and partnerships, establishing itself as a crucial catalyst for growth in Africa’s entertainment landscape.

The 2025 conference promises an impressive lineup of speakers and performers, including industry leaders such as Steve Babaeko, Audu Maikori, Obi Asika, and Funmi Iyanda. Other notable participants include Mike Dada, Colette Otusheso, and Chris Ihidero. This year’s event arrives at a pivotal time for African creativity, with Nollywood recognized as the world’s second-largest film industry by volume and Afrobeats achieving record-breaking performances and Grammy recognition.

The creative sector currently contributes approximately 2.3% to Nigeria’s GDP, which is valued at over $4.2 billion annually. Notably, Nigerian films accounted for more than half of the box office revenues in early 2024. Despite these accomplishments, industry stakeholders face ongoing challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to funding, and weak intellectual property protections.

Rising production costs, piracy, and issues surrounding monetisation threaten long-term growth in the sector. Although the 2024 National Creative Economy Policy was launched to address these issues, its full implementation has been slow, leaving the industry without the necessary legal and economic frameworks to flourish.

Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and Convener of NECLive, remarked, “After more than a decade of facilitating crucial conversations within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, we’re witnessing an unprecedented moment where our creative talents are gaining global recognition and commercial success. However, we must now focus on building the infrastructure, appropriate policies, and business frameworks that will ensure this momentum translates into sustainable economic power for our nation.”

Produced by Nigerian Entertainment Today and the Africa Creative Foundation, in collaboration with ID Africa, BHM, and Huce Valeris, NECLive 2025 is supported by major industry partners, including MultiChoice, MTN Nigeria, and First Bank. The event is expected to deliver high-level discussions on policy, innovation, and investment, further solidifying its role as the heartbeat of Africa’s creative economy.