Make Music Lagos has announced the full programme for the 2026 World Music Day celebrations, held in partnership with Alliance Française de Lagos and supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria. The annual event, set for June 21, will conclude with the Shutdown Concert, a city-wide public music showcase featuring performances by Johnny Drille, Made Kuti, The Cavemen, Rotimi Keys, Dotti the deity and Ifé, alongside emerging artists. Prior activities include the Songwriters' Workshop on June 12 and a full day of industry events on June 18, comprising the Music Business Conference, Album Listening Party and Catalogue Review Sessions.
The 2026 edition also features the grand finale of the Battle of the Bands, which began earlier in the year. The African Folk Band, TÈMÍDÙN and The Royal Bards emerged as top finalists following a competitive round and will perform at the Shutdown Concert. Over the past decade, Make Music Lagos has established itself as a key platform for live performance, music education, artist development and industry engagement in Nigeria. The initiative is part of the global Fête de la Musique movement, celebrated in more than 1,000 cities across over 120 countries, promoting free musical participation and cultural exchange.
Adeola Akinyemi, Director of Make Music Lagos, described the initiative as a convergence of creativity, community and opportunity, aimed at making music accessible and strengthening the local music ecosystem. Margaux Demeersseman, Regional Music Attachée at the French Embassy, affirmed the embassy's support for transformative music initiatives, highlighting World Music Day as a unifying moment for artists and audiences. Marc Brébant, Director of Alliance Française de Lagos, emphasized the event's role in fostering artistic expression and cultural connection through shared musical experiences.
Adeola Akinyemi leads an initiative that claims to strengthen the music ecosystem, yet the same platform relies on a foreign embassy and cultural centre for visibility and structure. Nigerian artists perform at the Shutdown Concert, but the organising framework and funding momentum come from French institutions. If the goal is local empowerment, the dominance of foreign backing in planning and execution raises questions about sustainability. The event celebrates inclusion, but the leadership and resources behind it are not homegrown.
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