Nora Awolowo, Timi Dakolo, Audu Maikori, Funmi Iyanda, Kene Okwuosa others confirmed for NECLive 2025

All speakers and discussants at NECLive2025

John Ugbe, whose journey from MultiChoice help desk analyst in 1998 to CEO in 2018 embodies African excellence, will share insights on building creative infrastructure. Under his leadership, MultiChoice Nigeria launched three Africa Magic channels in local Nigerian languages, introduced GOtv for affordable access, created the MultiChoice Talent Factory, and established the prestigious AMVCA awards.

Steve Babaeko, the creative genius behind X3M Ideas—operating in seven countries from Lagos to London—brings his award-winning expertise. With multiple Cannes Lions, Loeries, and Cristal awards, and as a Visiting Fellow at Henley Business School (UK), Babaeko represents African advertising at its global pinnacle.

Kene Okwuosa, co-founder and Group CEO of FilmHouse Group, is a filmmaker and visionary leader who has expanded Nollywood’s reach, spotlighted African stories, and redefined cinema experiences in Nigeria. His leadership has positioned FilmHouse as one of Africa’s premier cinema operators and film distributors and he will be speaking at NECLive 2025.

Chris Ihidero, CEO of PinPoint Media and founder of Lagos Film Academy, will address talent development. The filmmaker and former MTV Shuga producer has spent his career training the next generation through True Nollywood Stories and masterclasses that have shaped countless Nigerian storytellers.

Funmi Iyanda, broadcasting legend, CEO of OYA Media, and creator of NTA’s longest-running independently produced show “New Dawn with Funmi,” brings decades of experience using media for social impact. A BBC 100 Women honoree and Forbes-recognised executive, Iyanda’s work spans journalism, television, and award-winning film production.

Ojoma Ochai, Managing Director of Africa’s largest innovation centre, CcHUB, bridges technology and creative enterprise with unmatched expertise. Serving on the board of ₿trust (the Bitcoin development fund founded by Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey), chairing the African Tech and Creative Group, and sitting on UNESCO’s Global Expert Panel on cultural diversity since 2012, Ojoma’s insights into Africa’s creative-tech ecosystem are unparalleled.

Yinka Obebe, founder of Popcentral TV, brings expertise on AI and African creativity. The media entrepreneur who transformed an Instagram page into DStv Channel 189 is also co-founder of Mefa, a pioneering network of concert venues launching across Nigeria, and curator of the landmark “70 Years of Music in Nigeria” project.

Fisayo Fosudo, with 750,000+ YouTube subscribers and 110 million video views, will share insights on building sustainable creator businesses. The YouTube Black Voices 2022 honoree and TechPoint Tech Influencer of the Year makes technology and finance accessible to 1.5 million followers across Africa.

David Adeleke, founder and CEO of Communiqué—a media and intelligence company reaching over 140,000 creators, investors, and policymakers across 105 countries—brings his expertise as a strategist and storyteller shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy.

Nora Awolowo, at 26, made history as the youngest Nollywood producer to gross over ₦100 million at the box office with her 2025 debut feature “Red Circle.” The AMVCA-winning cinematographer who has worked with Netflix, FIFA, Guinness, and Sony represents a new generation of technically-skilled, business-savvy filmmakers.

Moses Babatope, Group CEO of The Nile Media Entertainment Group and member of the International Emmy Academy, oversees Nile Cinemas, Nile Entertainment, and Nile Motion Pictures. Recently appointed to the advisory committee for TIFF: The Market (launching September 2026), Babatope has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s box office landscape and bridging Nollywood with global markets.

James “Abinibi” Alabi, whose series “Life and Dirt” topped Prime Video charts in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, exemplifies purpose-driven African storytelling. The Best Director winner at the 2019 African Film Awards creates content that tackles social issues while achieving commercial success.

Chichi Nwoko, a visionary leader and Pan-Africanist with over 20 years in media and broadcast, has worked as Country Manager of Kwese Free Sports in Nigeria, Executive Producer of the CBS franchise “Kids Say The Darndest Things” in Nigeria, and one of the producers of “Lion Heart”—Netflix’s first West African original acquisition.

Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), brings regulatory expertise and global influence. As a voting member of the Golden Globe Awards, consultant to Berlin International Film Festival, and chair of the AMAA selection committee, Husseini is widely regarded as Nollywood’s foremost documentarist and authority.

Adekunle Adebiyi, Executive Director of Investments at MBO Capital Management, has deployed over ₦6 billion into Nigerian film, supporting 30+ productions now streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. With an MBA from Kellogg and an MA/MEng from Cambridge, plus 22+ years in private equity, Adebiyi represents the sophisticated investment capital Nollywood needs to scale globally.

Chidi Aneto-Okeke, founder and CEO of Groove Platforms (uduX), brokered the first strategic music partnership with Sony Music West Africa in 2012. With nearly two decades of building African digital music infrastructure and partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music, Aneto-Okeke ensures African artists access fair compensation and global distribution.

Dolapo Amusat, founder and CEO of WeTalkSound—West Africa’s largest youth-led creative network—has collaborated with Joeboy, Lojay, Victony, and Teni while delivering campaigns for EMPIRE and Sony Music. A Recording Academy (Grammys) member and former Google Product Marketing Manager who led Rema’s historic O2 concert YouTube livestream, Dolapo bridges corporate experience with creative entrepreneurship.

Mike Dada, founder of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) launched in partnership with the African Union in 2014, champions Pan-African unity through music. His vision: using music to foster continental identity and promote Africa’s cultural heritage globally and he will be contributing at NECLive 2025.

Audu Maikori, co-founder of Chocolate City Group and former CEO, launched the careers of M.I Abaga and Ice Prince. The British Council’s International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year (2007) and African Awards for Entrepreneurship winner (2011) continues to mentor emerging entrepreneurs and advocate for social justice through creative enterprise; his insights at NECLive 2025 would be invaluable.

Jide Taiwo, veteran Nigerian journalist and cultural writer, has spent most of his career documenting Nigerian pop culture across different eras. The former editor of Nigerian Entertainment Today has authored several books about music in Nigeria, making him an essential voice on the industry’s evolution.

Gaise Baba, Afro-fusion gospel artist and founder of ARAMANDA Festival, LightOut Initiative, and Lounge464 creative residency, will perform at the conference. His 2025 collaboration “No Turning Back II” with Lawrence Oyor went viral and has been submitted for consideration at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Look out for a thrilling performance at NECLive 2025

Timi Dakolo, Nigerian singer and songwriter, will be at NECLive 2025. The musician burst into the limelight after winning the first season of West African Idol in 2007 and has become a mentor for many in the industry, serving as a judge on singing competition shows, most notably The Voice Nigeria.

Bukunmi ‘KieKie’ Adeaga-Ilori, Forbes Africa’s Top Content Creator of 2024 and AMVCA Best Online Social Content Creator winner (2023), built a multimedia empire from viral skits. The Nollywood actress and founder of Accost Collections fashion brand demonstrates how creators can monetise influence while building sustainable businesses, her insights at NECLive 2025 would be invaluable.

Colette Otusheso, CEO of Accelerate Media Group with 23+ years of experience, oversees the Accelerate Plus streaming platform, Accelerate Studios, and The Phoenix Project, which has trained over 12,000 young Nigerians. The former Paramount Africa Country Lead, who managed MTV Shuga and launched Africa Magic channels, is among MIPAD’s 100 Most Influential People of African Descent.

Yinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, manages marketing budgets exceeding ₦80 billion across seven markets. With 25+ years spanning journalism, telecommunications, and financial services, Ijabiyi has led FirstBank’s major rebranding efforts and the customer-focused ‘Giants’ initiative. Her insights at NECLive 2025 would be invaluable.

Read also: Registration Opens for NECLive 2025.

Moliehi Molekoa, Managing Director of South Africa’s Magna Carta Reputation Management Consultants—named “African Consultancy of the Year” by PRovoke Media—leads operations across 18 African countries. Managing brand reputation and crises for MTN Group, Standard Bank, Old Mutual Limited, and PepsiCo, Molekoa brings nearly 20 years of Pan-African strategic communications expertise.

Hammed Adebiyi, with over a decade of experience building brand equity for The Macallan and Imperial Blue across Edrington, Pernod Ricard, and Guinness Nigeria, brings expertise in premium spirits and luxury positioning. His integrated marketing strategies have delivered consistent market share gains and solidified brand dominance in competitive African markets.

Qudus Onikeku, who has performed in over 60 countries and whose work is featured in the National Gallery of Canada’s permanent collection, is the CEO of the J. Randle Centre for Yorùbá Culture and History, and he will speak at NECLive 2025. The choreographer and founder of Afropolis Festival blends Yoruba philosophy with contemporary dance, proving traditional African knowledge systems can drive global artistic innovation.

Yolanda Okereke, costume designer behind “House of Ga’a,” “Seven Doors,” and “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” is the founder of The Rani Company. The 2025 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival award winner became the first African costume designer to host a masterclass at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC (2022).

Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, brings 30 years of experience building Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. The Nigerian Idol judge, Storm 360 founder, and Big Brother Nigeria producer co-founded Social Media Week Lagos and lectured at Harvard, Wharton, MIT, and London Business School. Inducted into the Afrobeats Hall of Fame (2022) and selected as Cannes Lions Music Jury member (2024), Asika sits on advisory boards, including the Smithsonian Museum of African Art.

Folu Storms—actor, broadcaster, media executive, and qualified barrister (UK & Nigeria)—founded F.S. Media, consulting for Tecno, YouTube, Heritage Bank, and Oando. The AMVCA winner, who starred in Red Circle and Crime and Justice, spent over a decade excelling across film, television, and communications with MTV, BET, and Paramount.

Seyitan Atigarin, Head of Entertainment and Culture Desk at Arise News Television, has covered the Oscars, Grammy Awards, MET Gala, and the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey. The international correspondent with a Master’s in International Broadcast Journalism from Birmingham City University is also the founder of Abebi and The Good News Anchor.

Kolapo Olapoju, Editor of TheCable and DAME Awards winner, launched TheCable Fact-Check Desk (2021), Climate Cable, and TheCable DINA—Nigeria’s first disability-inclusive news app (2023), which won a Google News Innovation Challenge award. His investigative reporting exposed lead contamination and influenced the federal government’s VAT exemption for sanitary products.

Tomiwo Ojo, Head of Content at Black House Media, overseeing Netng, Neusroom, 234Star, and Orin, previously led content strategy at Technext. With Reuters and Google certifications in journalism, data analytics, and digital marketing, Tomiwo’s work spans politics, culture, sports, and technology.

Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson, Regional Manager at BHM, spearheads growth strategies and communications models across West Africa (Lagos & Accra). The lawyer and author manages day-to-day client leadership for Pan-African brands.

Njideka Akabogu Eke-Uche, Regional Manager for East Africa at ID Africa, drives communications for MultiChoice, Showmax, MTN, Heineken, The Macallan, and Betway. Recognised in Brand Communicator’s 35 under 35 Top Marketing Professionals (2022) and PR Society of Kenya’s top PR Practitioners (2024), she’s also Chief Consultant at BHM.

Legendary comedian Tee A returns for a record eighth time to host NECLive 2025 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.

Moderating sessions will be Hero Daniels, Kolapo Olapoju, Seyitan Atigarin, and Tomiwo Ojo.

NECLive 2025 coordination is led by Henry Ekechukwu, CEO of award-winning HUCE VALERIS and NECLive’s longest-serving coordinator, who has curated campaigns for Netflix, USAID, TikTok, Apple, and the World Bank Group.

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

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 the previous 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.

NECLive 2025 will be held on Friday, November 28 2025, at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Register for NECLive 2025 now at www.nec.ng