By Adedapo Adesanya

The African Union (AU), in collaboration with the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), has announced Lagos, Nigeria, as the host city for the 2025 edition of the music awards.

The announcement was made at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the Head of Culture at the African Union, Ms Angela Martins.

The awards ceremony, along with side events, including the vibrant Music Village Festival, is scheduled to take place from November 25 to 30, 2025.

Ms Martins describes this year’s theme, “Unstoppable Africa,” and the choice of Lagos as its host, as a reflection of the vibrancy, brilliance, and dream of modern African music, which the city represents.

“Music is not merely sound, it is a strategy. From Dar es Salaam to Acrra and other parts of the world, music flows like a river through our culture, and it connects, heals, and moves us forward,” Martins said, explaining the AU’s enduring partnership with AFRIMA.

The AFRIMA 2025 calendar starts with a call for entries on May 20, inviting submissions from African artists across the continent and the diaspora.

Artists can submit works across various categories and genres as part of this celebration of musical excellence, an initiative aligned with the AU’s Agenda 2063, which champions culture as a driver of development in Africa.

AFRIMA has served as a powerful platform for cultural exchange and continental integration.

AFRIMA’s President, Mr Mike Dada, reiterated this mission, saying that AFRIMA is a rallying point to further integrate the continent.

“This is to ensure we have an enduring platform called AFRIMA to be used as a rallying platform to integrate the continent, for peace, job creation, and for telling our own stories,” Mr Dada said.

The road to AFRIMA 2025 will also include events in other African countries, including Morocco, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire, and will also make stops in London, UK, and Paris in France.

Last month, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, declared the state’s readiness to host Africa and the world for the 2025 edition of the AFRIMA.

Speaking when he received a high-powered delegation from the African Union and the AFRIMA International Committee in his office, Mr Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagos’ acceptance to host AFRIMA 2025 aligned with his administration’s vision to make the creative and tourism industry a major pillar of the state’s development drive.

The governor said, “One of the key pillars of our administration’s development agenda is the creative industry. Since I took office, we’ve been intentional about building a vibrant creative ecosystem supporting film, music, fashion, photography, and cultural tourism.

“We are happy to receive the AFRIMA team; we will do it, and we will be part of this. This is one initiative we are proud to accommodate. Our team will work together with your team to action this. We thank the African Union and the AFRIMA Committee for trusting Lagos.”

As part of the buildup to the 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Africa Magic and MultiChoice hosted Young Filmmakers’ Day, an inspiring platform designed to mentor and celebrate the next generation of African storytellers. Held in Lagos on Thursday, 8th of May, the event gathered budding filmmakers, MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) alumni, and industry stakeholders for a day of learning, collaboration, and community.

This year’s edition focused on “Sound in Filmmaking,” a masterclass facilitated by Shawn Butler, an acclaimed sound engineer and producer whose portfolio spans award-winning African and international productions.

“Sound is more than just pushing a button; it’s about shaping emotion and enhancing storytelling,” Butler said. “The way a character breathes, the silence between words, the soundscape of a scene, all of that influences how audiences connect with the story. I wanted to help these creatives start listening like storytellers, not just technicians.”

The session explored practical mic techniques, on-set professionalism, post-production workflows, and the critical role of audio in shaping cinematic meaning. Butler also emphasized collaboration across departments:

“You can’t isolate sound from story. Working closely with directors, DPs, and editors ensures the audio landscape supports the emotional arc of the film.”

The day began with a short film by the most recent MTF cohort, showcasing their creativity and growth during the year-long training programme. In her welcome remarks, Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa at MultiChoice, underscored the broader mission behind the event.

“Young Filmmakers’ Day is more than tick-boxing,” Tejumola said. “It’s about transferring lived experience. You can learn in a classroom, but real wisdom often comes from direct mentorship and shared challenges. That’s what today is about, reminding young creatives that every element, especially sound, contributes to powerful storytelling.”

Ten early registrants received complimentary goody bags, while a lively movie soundtrack trivia challenge saw two lucky guests win tickets to the AMVCA Awards Night.

A standout moment was the introduction of FilmMaker Mart, a new creative production company founded by MTF alumni Eric Kafui Okyerefo, Chioma Paul-Dike, Victor Awotidebe, and Igho Arusi. The company was introduced by their marketing manager, Oluwaseun Lawal, and is a testament to the MTF’s impact in empowering alumni to build sustainable careers in the film industry.

Young Filmmakers’ Day was one of several key industry events leading up to the AMVCA 2025 finale. It followed the vibrant Cultural Night held on Friday, May 9, and preceded the star-studded AMVCA Awards Night on Saturday, May 10, which aired live across Africa on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv from 4:00 PM WAT (Red Carpet) and 7:00 PM WAT (Main Show).

The MultiChoice Talent Factory continues to be a beacon for African creatives, championing skill development, mentorship, and innovation in storytelling across the continent.

As the Nigerian Idol Season 10 auditions continue, Episode 3 brought even more passion, surprises, and stand-out moments that reminded us why this show remains a fan favorite.

This week, a few familiar faces returned, determined to rewrite their Idol journey. While not all comebacks ended with golden tickets, many contestants left with renewed motivation and valuable feedback from the judges.

One of the most powerful and unforgettable performances of the night came from Ubaku, a contestant from Akwa Ibom, whose spirit-filled worship performance momentarily shifted the atmosphere. The judges were visibly moved, so much that it felt like the audition room had transformed into a worship session. That performance earned a golden ticket and likely gave more than a few viewers goosebumps.

Another standout moment came with a touch of legacy. Tolani, daughter of the late OJB Jezreel, the iconic Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, auditioned with grace and strength. The judges, visibly impressed, told her she had truly proven she was her father’s daughter. All three gave her a “yes,” earning her a golden ticket and emotional praise. In a touching full-circle moment, Iyanya revealed that OJB himself had produced Iyanya’s first album, making the moment even more special and deeply rooted in musical history.

Throughout the episode, the judges, Iyanya, Ric Hassani, and Omawumi, were in top form. Their banter brought lightness to the audition room, offering viewers moments of laughter amidst the nerves and high stakes. From playful teasing to heartfelt reactions, their chemistry remained a key part of the show’s appeal.

One performance that fell flat vocally sparked a priceless reaction from Omawumi. Her expression alone which was meme-worthy was the highlight of the night. Ric and Iyanya’s laughter sealed the moment as a fan favorite even before the show ended.

Backstage, host IK kept the energy up with his signature charm, guiding contestants through the nerves, excitement, and post-performance emotions. His behind-the-scenes interviews and pep talks gave the audience a closer look at the personalities behind the voices.

By the end of the night, it was clear,  more yeses than nos were handed out, showing that this season continues to attract true talent. And even those who didn’t make it through left with hope and many declaring their intent to return stronger.

As the auditions roll on, one thing is certain, Nigerian Idol Season 10 isn’t just about vocal ability. It’s about growth, legacy, passion, and those unforgettable moments that stay with us long after the music stops.

Catch Nigerian Idol Season 10 every Sunday at 7 p.m. on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Ch. 151, GOtv Ch. 12) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Ch. 154, GOtv Ch. 2). Stay tuned to the 24/7 Idol Extra channel on DStv Ch. 198 and GOtv Ch. 49 for exclusive behind-the-scenes access and all the musical magic.