Nigeria’s Creator Economy Gets Fresh Push As 3,000 Converge At PodFest Naija

Nigeria’s fast-growing creator economy received a fresh boost at the weekend as more than 3,000 creators, podcasters, entrepreneurs, brands, policymakers and industry stakeholders converged in Lagos for the second edition of PodFest Naija.

The festival, held on Friday, September 25, at Harbour Point, Lagos, brought together more than 50 storytellers and creators for conversations around creativity, culture, money, health, relationships, business and emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Organised by The Muvmnt Studio, the storytelling platform of AT3 – The Muvmnt Agency, in partnership with Eventful Nigeria, the festival featured live podcast recordings, creator conversations, monetisation masterclasses and practical sessions aimed at helping emerging creators develop sustainable careers.

A major highlight was the keynote address by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who highlighted the growing economic and cultural importance of Nigeria’s creative sector.

Hamzat said technology had transformed how Nigerian stories were created, distributed and consumed, allowing local creators to reach audiences across the world.

“Lagos is now telling its own story. The podcasters, the filmmakers, the musicians, the writers, the designers, the developers and the entrepreneurs in this room have turned a Lagos microphone into a global broadcast,” he said.

According to him, when content created by a young Nigerian reaches audiences in cities such as Houston, London or Nairobi, it represents more than entertainment.

“That is export. That is soft power. That is the Lagos economy speaking to the world in its own voice,” Hamzat added.

The event also introduced the Citizen Stage, which brought everyday Nigerians into conversations with prominent storytellers, creators and industry leaders.

Speaking on the festival, its Convener and Chief Executive Officer of AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency, Tosin Adefeko, said the platform was created to connect creators, brands, policymakers and ordinary Nigerians around their shared experiences.

He said the focus was not merely on content or the platforms through which stories are distributed, but on the people and experiences behind them.

“We needed a convergence. A place where creators, storytellers, brands, policymakers, industry leaders and, most importantly, everyday people could come together and talk about the one thing we all have in common: our lived experiences,” Adefeko said.

A major attraction at the festival was The Uncovered Series, which featured a conversation between Adefeko and award-winning actress, filmmaker and producer, Funke Akindele.

The session explored the less visible aspects of Akindele’s career, including sacrifice, resilience, creativity and reinvention, providing insights into the journey behind her public success.

The festival also placed emphasis on discovering the next generation of Nigerian creators through The Next Big Podcaster, an initiative of The Muvmnt Studio designed to identify and develop emerging podcasting talent.

Sponsored by Afrinvest and Yolly, the initiative culminated in Clement Akintade being announced as the winner.

According to the organisers, the initiative is part of a broader effort to create a pipeline for emerging storytellers and help young Nigerians transform creativity and passion into sustainable careers.

PodFest Naija also recognised established contributors to Nigeria’s creative and cultural landscape through its PodFest Hall of Fame.

Among the personalities featured at the festival were Joro Olomofin, Toolz Oniru-Demuren, Ify Mogekwu, Dr Morenike Molehin, Francesca Uriri, Anthony Wolve, Grace Ofure, Tosin Olaseinde, Rufai Oseni, Fisayo Soyombo, Babajide Ogunsanwo, Joseph Edgar, Khadijah Okunnu, Dr Foy and Masoyinbo.

The festival’s six themed stages — Life, Love, Culture, Money, Health and Brands — provided platforms for discussions on issues shaping the lives and aspirations of Nigerians.

Beyond entertainment and conversations, organisers positioned the festival as a meeting point between creativity and business, giving creators opportunities to engage brands, learn about monetisation and connect with industry leaders.

The growing involvement of major companies also underscored the increasing interest in the creator economy.

The festival was supported by The Place, Yolly, Meta, MTN, DNIL, Afrinvest, Page International Finance Company, Lebara, Sahara Foundation, UAC, Coca-Cola, Crown Flour Mills, Beloxxi, Fan Milk and Eve Essentials, while Dashboard Innovations and Clover joined as strategic partners.

For Adefeko, PodFest Naija represents more than a celebration of podcasting.

He said the platform was designed to create a space where Nigeria could hear itself across generations, industries, communities and experiences.

“Everybody has a story. Tell your own,” he said.

The organisers said future editions would continue to focus on creativity, collaboration, innovation and learning while creating opportunities for Nigerian stories and creators to reach audiences beyond the country.