Ali Baba, Basketmouth To Attend NECLive On April 26

Some of Nigeria’s leading comedians have signed up for the fifth edition of Nigerian entertainment conference holding in Lagos on April 26, 2017.

Now in its fifth year, NECLive is the umbrella conference for the entertainment industry in Nigeria, providing an opportunity for strategic discussions, and a marketplace for ideas, products and services.

The organisers say this year’s edition will focus on how Nigerian entertainment, and indeed entertainment from Africa is finding renewed favour with fans at home, and the world over.

In 2016, Nollywood movies surpassed Hollywood and Bollywood in cinema earnings and the share of customer voice, in Nigeria. Nigerian music finally went global, riding on the back of our peculiar pop music, and nomadic musicians.

The world’s attention has understandably shifted to Africa with funders, labels, producers, and awards looking to play within the region. Nigeria is at the fore of this new wave, but places like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana are equally well positioned.

Has the time come for Africa to provide entertainment for the major percentage of the world’s seven billion people? They say we tell a different kind of story in Africa; we have a rare, peculiar sound. And they’re buying it from America to London and Singapore.

Back home, the booming youth populations are also more interested in local content like never before. From Iroko to Mavin and Africa Magic, the numbers show audiences on the continent are increasingly embracing our creativity; millions are choosing their own local entertainment over the imported.

But the diverse entertainment industries are still struggling. The structure to rip the dividend of the boom continues to lie comatose.

From weak government policies to unsustainable business models, it appears we have plenty work to do, if we are to benefit from what’s coming in significant ways.

It could indeed be time for Africa. But what does this mean for the industry players? What do we need to know? To do? And how can we make sure we do not collectively miss this opportunity?

One of the industries leading that change is comedy, and NECLive5 will feature some of the most important players in the sector, from pathfinders Ali Baba and Opa Williams, to trail blazers Basketmouth, Basorge Tariah, Tee A, Frank Donga, and Teju Babyface.