Music enthusiasts, cultural advocates, and performing artists converged on Team Compound, Abuja, on Saturday as the French Institute marked World Music Day—using the platform not only to celebrate sound but to sound a clarion call for enhanced support for live performances and emerging Nigerian artists.
As part of the global Fête de la Musique movement, the event showcased a blend of established names and rising acts, while underscoring music’s capacity to foster cross-cultural dialogue, creative vitality, and communal cohesion.
In her address, French Institute Executive Director Lucille Haddad traced the origins of World Music Day to France in 1981, when it was initiated by then-Minister of Culture Jack Lang, and noted its evolution into an international phenomenon that encourages musicians to take their art into public spaces.
While applauding the exponential growth of Nigeria’s music sector, Haddad stressed that Abuja’s scene possesses a distinctive energy—yet remains underfunded and undervisualised.
“What I’ve observed in Abuja is genuinely exciting because the atmosphere is vastly different from Lagos,” she remarked. “I’m truly pleased to witness live music here—it’s exactly what I champion.”
However, she voiced concern over the scarcity of dedicated live-music venues in the capital, calling it a structural barrier that stifles artist development and performance opportunities.
Her sentiments resonated with performers and attendees, many of whom urged a more inclusive industry framework.
Veteran Beninese DJ and music activist DJ Highfa lauded Nigeria’s transformative journey—from the eras of P-Square and 2Baba to the current global dominance of Afrobeats—as nothing short of extraordinary. “Nigerian music is dismantling boundaries and has achieved international recognition,” he said, applauding the French Institute’s sustained commitment to cultural connection through music.
Performer Yene emphasised the need for platforms that introduce audiences to fresh sounds and undiscovered talent, noting that Nigeria’s industry continues to ascend domestically and abroad. At the same time, Abuja steadily cements its status as a rising hub for artists. “Abuja is poised to be the next big destination for creatives—so keep your eyes on this city,” she advised.
Singer and performer Dele Ayoola broadened the discussion to include diversity, asserting that despite Nigeria’s global success, artists operating outside mainstream genres often remain marginalised. “We must find ways to be more inclusive of grassroots and alternative musicians,” he urged, calling on stakeholders to expand opportunities beyond the dominant commercial styles.
Echoing that call for youth development, performing artist FIMI commended the French Institute for consistently providing performance platforms that enable emerging acts to reach new audiences. He described the institute’s unwavering support for live music as indispensable to nurturing the next generation.
Meanwhile, performer Moshe drew spirited applause as he shared his appreciation for Abuja’s receptive music community. Praising the institute’s role in fostering creative expression, he spoke with palpable passion about his enduring love for classic R&B—a genre that continues to shape his artistic identity.
