Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has visited the San Francisco headquarters of EMPIRE, where he met with the company’s founder and CEO, Ghazi Shami, and members of the team.
Epe Insights reports that the governor’s visit formed part of his engagement with stakeholders in the global creative industry, with discussions focusing on opportunities for Nigerian artistes and the growth of Lagos’ creative economy.
During the visit, Sanwo-Olu toured the EMPIRE facility and received an overview of the company’s operations and its role in supporting music talents across different markets.
EMPIRE is a global music company involved in music distribution, publishing and artist services. The company has worked with artistes from different parts of the world, including several prominent Nigerian and African music acts.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the company’s support for Nigerian artistes such as Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Asake and Fireboy DML.
According to the governor, seeing the work being done at EMPIRE was motivating and reinforced the importance of creating stronger opportunities for talents emerging from Lagos and Nigeria.
The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the increasing global reach of Afrobeats and the contribution of Nigerian artistes to the international music industry.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos continues to play an important role in the development and global spread of Afrobeats.
The governor’s remarks reflect the growing importance of the creative economy to Lagos, particularly in music, entertainment, fashion, film, technology and other creative sectors.
Lagos has remained a major hub for Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with many artistes, producers, record labels and creative entrepreneurs operating from the state.
The global success of Afrobeats has also created new opportunities for Nigerian musicians to reach audiences beyond Africa.
For artistes, international partnerships and distribution platforms can provide access to wider audiences, professional services and new markets.
Sanwo-Olu said his conversation with Shami further strengthened the commitment to building opportunities that would enable local talents to grow and have greater control over their stories and careers on the international stage.
The governor also stressed the importance of supporting young creatives as they develop their talents and pursue opportunities within the global entertainment industry.
His visit comes amid increasing international interest in African music and the expanding commercial value of Afrobeats.
Nigerian artistes have continued to record international collaborations, performances and streaming success, contributing to the visibility of the country’s music industry.
The participation of Lagos-based artistes in this global movement has further strengthened the state’s reputation as an important centre for African entertainment and popular culture.
Beyond music, the creative economy has become an area of interest for policymakers seeking to create jobs, encourage entrepreneurship and attract investment.
Sanwo-Olu’s engagement with EMPIRE therefore provides another platform for conversations around the relationship between local creative talent and international industry players.
The governor said the future of Lagos’ creative economy remains promising and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting young talents.
He maintained that creating the right environment for creatives can help more Nigerian talents build sustainable careers while taking their work to international audiences.
The visit also highlighted the role of private-sector organisations such as EMPIRE in connecting African artistes with the global music market.
For Lagos-based creatives, stronger links with international music companies could provide additional avenues for distribution, promotion, partnerships and audience development.
The engagement with EMPIRE further demonstrates the potential for collaboration between Lagos and global creative industry stakeholders.
As Afrobeats continues to attract audiences worldwide, the development of talent and creative infrastructure remains important to sustaining the industry’s growth.
Sanwo-Olu’s visit to EMPIRE adds to his engagements with international stakeholders on opportunities that could support Lagos’ creative sector and strengthen its position within the global entertainment ecosystem.
The governor expressed optimism about the future of young Nigerian creatives and reiterated his administration’s intention to support them as they pursue opportunities at home and abroad.
With Lagos continuing to serve as a major centre for Afrobeats and other creative industries, partnerships with global companies could play a role in opening new pathways for local talents.
The EMPIRE visit therefore brought attention to the growing connection between Lagos’ creative community and the international music business, particularly as Nigerian music continues to gain wider global recognition.
