Steve Babaeko, Audu Maikori, Kene Okwuosa Join NECLive 2025 Lineup with Funmi Iyanda, Folu Storms, Timi Dakolo, KieKie

NECLive 2025 Unveils Star-Studded Lineup for Creative Industry Leaders

The complete lineup for NECLive 2025 has been revealed, showcasing an extraordinary gathering of Nigeria’s most influential creative industry leaders. The event will take place at the Landmark Event Centre on Friday, November 28, 2025, and promises to be one of the most significant gatherings in the continent’s creative sector.

This year’s conference, themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise,” will bring together over 40 industry titans to lead discussions on the future of Africa’s $4.2 billion creative economy. Among the notable names are MultiChoice Nigeria CEO John Ugbe, X3M Ideas founder Steve Babaeko, and FilmHouse Group co-founder and Group CEO Kene Okwuosa. These leaders will join a diverse group of media executives, filmmakers, music leaders, tech innovators, government officials, and investment experts.

Key Voices in the Creative Sector

The event will feature broadcasting icon Funmi Iyanda, CcHUB Managing Director Ojoma Ochai, filmmaker and educator Chris Ihidero, and media entrepreneurs Yinka Obebe, Fisayo Fosudo, Jide Taiwo, and David Adeleke. Rising filmmaker Nora Awolowo will also be present, alongside creative industry trailblazers such as Moses Babatope, Chichi Nwoko, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Audu Maikori, and Colette Otusheso.

Music and entertainment figures like Timi Dakolo, KieKie, and Gaise Baba will add star power to the stage. Other notable attendees include Obi Asika, Qudus Onikeku, Yolanda Okereke, Moliehi Molekoa, Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson, Njideka Akabogu, and Yinka Ijabiyi. Each of these individuals brings unique perspectives on the intersection of culture, commerce, and creativity, with sessions moderated by Folu Storms, Hero Daniels, Seyitan Atigarin, Kolapo Olapoju, and Tomiwo Ojo.

A Comprehensive Ecosystem of Creativity

“This lineup represents the full ecosystem of Nigeria’s creative economy,” said Ayeni Adekunle, NECLive Founder and Convener. “From the CEOs making multi-billion naira decisions to filmmakers breaking box office records, from the tech innovators building platforms to the traditional custodians preserving culture—everyone shaping our industry’s future will be in the room.”

Legendary comedian Tee A returns for a record eighth time to host NECLive alongside award-winning TV personality Bolanle Olukanni. The AMVCA-nominated documentary filmmaker (God’s Wives) and founder of Olukanni Legacy Foundation joins Nigeria’s stand-up comedy pioneer to anchor a day of crucial industry conversations.

Event Coordination and Impact

Event coordination is led by Henry Ekechukwu, CEO of award-winning HUCE VALERIS and NECLive’s longest-serving coordinator. He has curated campaigns for major organizations such as Netflix, USAID, TikTok, Apple, and the World Bank Group.

Since its inception in 2013, NECLive has addressed critical challenges in the creative industry, including infrastructure deficits, limited funding access, inadequate intellectual property protection, and weak distribution networks. Despite Nigeria’s creative sector contributing approximately 2.3 per cent to GDP (worth over $4.2 billion annually), these challenges continue to constrain growth.

With Nollywood as the world’s second-largest film industry by volume and Afrobeats achieving global mainstream success, NECLive 2025 arrives at a pivotal moment. The conference aims to transform cultural momentum into sustainable economic power through policy advocacy, practical solutions, and strategic partnerships.

Over nine editions, NECLive has hosted more than 500 industry experts, attracted over 100,000 participants, reached audiences exceeding 100 million people across 50 countries, and facilitated over 1,000 deals and partnerships.

Additional Content Highlights

While the main focus of the event is on the creative industry, the platform also features various other content, including:

• Back to School, Back to Business A Fresh Start: A guide to restarting professional endeavors after the school break.
• Relationship Hangout: Public vs Private Proposals – Which Truly Wins in Love?: A discussion on the dynamics of romantic proposals.
• “No” Is a Complete Sentence: Why You Should Stop Feeling Guilty: An insightful look into the importance of setting boundaries.
• Relationship Hangout: Friendship Talk 2025 – How to Be a Good Friend & Big Questions on Friendship: A conversation on the value of friendship and how to maintain it.
• Police Overpower Armed Robbers in Ibadan After Fierce Struggle: A news report on recent security developments.