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By Rita Okoye
Lagos has officially begun the countdown to Africa’s first 96-hour non-stop DJ marathon as organisers of the AfroXela Festival unveiled the lineup and key details at a press conference held on November 25 at Kyma.
The event, scheduled for December 29, 2025, to January 2, 2026, at Wave Beach, will feature over 100 DJs from 10 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, the UK, the US, China, India, Lebanon and France.
Top Nigerian names such as DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune, DJ Consequence and DJ Humility will perform alongside more than 80 emerging DJs selected through the AfroXela DJ Marathon Challenge.
Founder and CEO of AfroXela, Bucci Henry Mbagwu, said the city was “entering a historic moment,” promising 96 uninterrupted hours of Afrobeats, Amapiano, Afro-house, Hip-Hop and Dancehall. He added that the marathon is designed to position Lagos as a global cultural destination during the festive season.
The organisers also announced partnerships with Visit Nigeria, Wakanow Travel, Wave Beach House and FAYAMASK, covering tourism, logistics and security. The festival is projected to contribute over ₦400 million to the local economy and create about 300 jobs, with an estimated 2,000 diaspora visitors expected.
Maskqueen DJ Bella, who attempted a 250-hour DJ set in 2024, praised the initiative as a bold statement of Lagos’s influence in global DJ culture.
The entire marathon will be livestreamed free across 10 platforms, with organisers projecting up to 5 million global viewers. Tickets are available on AfroXela and Onburd.com. The event is open to attendees aged 18 and above.
