By Ngozi Onyeakusi—In line with its commitment to finding further lasting solutions to critical challenges in the music industry, all is set as the All Africa Music Awards- AFRIMA Music Business Summit in partnership with the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Record Label Proprietors Initiative (RELPI), Association of Music Artist Managers of Nigeria (AMAMN) and Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN) holds the 2nd emergency summit of stakeholders on Monday, February 12, 2024.

The 2nd summit is geared towards refining and consolidating the policy recommendations by the designated 4-man legal team.

The summit, which focuses on the rebirth of the music, entertainment, arts, culture, and hospitality sector/industry in Nigeria commences at 6:00 PM (Nigerian time) and takes place virtually via Zoom.

According to the President of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, Nigerian Music industry stakeholders expected to be in attendance include musicians/artistes, record labels, A&R, producers, promoters, artiste’s managers, brands, songwriters, DJs & video vixens, video directors, equipment production and rental companies, publishing companies, streaming service companies, entertainment lawyers, royalty companies, choreographers/dancers, entertainment/music journalists and media, culture and music enthusiast, other supporting professionals: cameramen, editors, make-up, hairstylist, costumiers, among others.

Dada, who described the first emergency summit as very symbolic and fruitful, expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting would soon manifest and would be appreciated by entertainment stakeholders not only in Nigeria but in other African countries and those in the diaspora.

PMAN President, Pretty Okafor said the music stakeholders meeting is necessary as it is aimed at encouraging continuous education and engagement of sectoral bodies on roles, responsibilities, obligations, and benefits to the internal and external players in the music industry.

“It is very necessary for all players within the music ecosystem, especially the artistes to join relevant organisations to further guarantee and protect them and their crafts,” Okafor stated.

Also, Chinedu Chukwuji, who leads Record Label Proprietors Initiative (RELPI)’s efforts in ensuring there’s a conducive environment for the recording industry in Nigeria to thrive said the Summit would further provide a collective voice for the Nigerian recording industry on issues of policy, protection and enforcement of the intellectual property rights of its members, and engagement with commercial music users, regulators, government, trade associations, etc. in furthering the interests of its members.

The first Emergency Meeting of the Nigerian Music Industry with the theme, ‘Identification of Internal and External Regulatory Mechanisms to Smoothen the Working Relationship among Various Stakeholders and Subgroups in the Music Industry’ was held on the 1st of October 2023.

Among far-reaching resolutions and action plans adopted at the Summit included participants agreeing that while legislation is the cornerstone upon which a successful and sustainable music industry is built, there is a need for well-crafted laws and regulations that can provide a stable framework for the industry, protect the rights of artistes, creators, record labels and promote investment, and foster a vibrant music ecosystem.

Participants also called for a legal framework that would institutionalize minimum entry requirements for players in the industry, including musicians and record labels to discourage quackery, mediocrity, and substandardization in the music ecosystem.

At the first Summit, over 70 industry players who were in attendance included veteran music producer and CEO Kennis Communications, Dr Kenny Ogungbe, AFRIMA President, Mike Dada, Sunny Neji, Pretty Okafor (PMAN President), Olumide Mustapha (Chairman, MPAN), Sijuade Adedokun, (President AMAMN), Chinedu Chukwuji, (National Coordinator, RELPI), Mayo Ayilaran, (DG/CEO, MCSN), foremost female drummer, Ara Olamuyiwa, Laolu Akins, Joel Ajayi, Yinka Obebe, Justin Ige, Kesse Jabari, Louis Udoh, Tayo Eleshin,  Precious Obeahon among others.

According to the organisers, the 2nd emergency summit of the stakeholders is strictly by invitation.

AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) is the Pinnacle of African Music globally.