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The drive for Nigeria’s full participation in AfroVision X, a month-long global celebration of African and Caribbean creativity, has kicked off with the official launch in Lagos.
AfroVision X, which holds from June 1 to June 30, 2026 across Canada’s major cities including Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga, is being positioned not merely as a festival, but as a deliberate strategy to consolidate Nigeria’s cultural influence into structured global economic leadership.
Speaking during a media parley at Tera Kulture in Lagos recently, David Bebiem, Convener, AfroVision X and CEO of Grandieu, who came from Canada to lead the activation, described Nigeria as central to the festival’s global architecture.
“Nigeria is the heartbeat of modern African creativity. From music and film to fashion and digital arts, this nation shapes global culture. AfroVision X 2026 is intentionally designed as a structured marketplace – a convergence point for creatives, investors, brands and diaspora networks to generate measurable economic impact,” he said.
Bebiem explained further that the festival would feature fashion showcases, film screenings, music concerts, theatre productions, exhibitions and high-level industry roundtables, culminating in a global awards platform.
Founder/CEO, Inspiro Productions, Ayoola Sadare, who’s Nigeria’s coordinator and official partner of AfroVision X, emphasised the need to transition from informal cultural export to intentional trade.
According to him, Nigeria already exports culture organically, but AfroVision X provides the infrastructure to transform that influence into capital access, Diaspora engagement and institutional growth.
“This is about positioning our creatives within formal global economic systems,” he added.
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) demonstrated strong institutional backing at the launch. Obukome Elaine Ibru-Mukoro, Chairperson of the Chamber’s Creative Economy Sector, described the initiative as timely, aligning with Nigeria’s broader economic priorities. Andre Bassey, the Chamber’s Director of Programmes for the Creative and Entertainment Sector, corroborated her, saying AfroVision X is a well-thought out initiative.
On his part, industrialist cum entrepreneur, Prince Adeyemi-Doro, founder of Adeyemi-Doro Group, highlighted the digital imperative driving the next phase of growth.
“The intersection of Artificial Intelligence, digital infrastructure and the creative economy is where talent converts into scalable value,” he shared. “With the right systems, young Nigerian creatives can compete and win in structured global markets.”
Adding depth to the cultural and heritage conversation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Zainab Shogbesan of Asa Heritage Foundation, underscored the importance of narrative ownership in international cultural exchange, drawing from her recent curatorial work at Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos.
The launch attracted a cross-section of industry stakeholders including Segun Adefila of Crown Troupe of Africa, Toyin Oshinaike; Akin Olu-Philips of PDR Media, who served as Master of Ceremonies; Prince Adebowale Adesida of African Fashion Works; Eric Ossai, CEO of Conscious Chaos; and Joseph Umoibom representing Terra Kulture, a partner of the initiative.
A mini-exhibition of African crafts and instrumental interludes by multi-talented artiste, ECA provided a preview of the creative energy expected at the Canadian showcase.
Meanwhile, organisers have confirmed that sponsorship, partnership and registration channels are now open to Nigerian brands, institutions and practitioners ahead of the June global outing.
