Make Music, Nigeria’s largest free music celebration, is set to mark a major milestone this year with its 10 years of musical impact in Lagos reaffirming its place as a cultural movement built on community, creativity, and access.
Founded in 2015 under the global Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) umbrella, Make Music has grown from a local celebration into a nationwide initiative, reaching artists, music lovers, and industry professionals across the country.
From packed concerts to grassroots workshops, Make Music has spent the last decade creating access for musicians, spotlighting emerging talent, and redefining how music is experienced in public spaces.
The movement has directly engaged over 10,000 artists and performers, while reaching over 1 million music lovers through its mix of live and virtual programming.
This year’s anniversary edition features a robust lineup of activations designed to amplify both emerging and established talent. The program is presented in partnership with Alliance Française, a key cultural collaborator committed to fostering the Nigerian creative landscape.
Activities include the New Music Marathon, which promotes rising artists across radio, streaming, and social platforms, My Song Is Your Song, a creative cross-collaboration project between local and international acts and the Two-Day Music Fair, a vibrant industry hub featuring panels, catalogue reviews, A&R sessions, and live performances.
Educational initiatives such as the Music Business Conference will also return, with a deep dive into streaming, publishing, brand partnerships, and music law all aimed at equipping today’s creatives with tools for long-term success.
‘In 10 years, we’ve watched Make Music Nigeria grow from a small community effort to a nationwide platform that truly reflects the sound and soul of Nigeria,” said Adeola Akinyemi, Director, Make Music Nigeria. This year, we are not just celebrating music, we are celebrating the people, the progress, and the possibilities that come when creativity meets community.’
Its impact isn’t limited to Lagos. Akwa Ibom, one of the movement’s strongest regional hubs, will also be celebrating its 5th year of Make Music programming, having hosted over 70 events since 2020.
The growing presence of the initiative in Ibadan, Ilorin, and Kaduna reflects its commitment to decentralizing music access and spotlighting talent across the country.
The first major event in the 2025 calendar is Battle of the Bands, a high-energy live competition where music groups will compete for the coveted title of Best Band. Open to bands of all genres from jazz and afro-fusion to R&B, rock, highlife.
The competition offers emerging artists a dynamic platform to perform in front of a live audience and gain exposure.
The event is set to take place on May 10th in Lagos, and registration is currently open for bands who are ready to bring their sound to the stage.
For more details and updates, visit @MakeMusicNigeria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makemusicnigeria
