Prominent media personalities, music stars and industry stakeholders gathered in Lagos on Friday as the American Music Award ceremony held in Nigeria honoured Texas-based Nigerian software engineer and artiste, Olalekan Olaleye, also known as Enuope, with the North America Nigeria’s 2025 Hip Hop Indigenous Artist in Diaspora Award.
The event, held at the City People Media Group Conference Hall in Gbagada, drew a high-profile audience, including Publisher of City People Magazine, Dr Seye Kehinde; Ovation International Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu; and Global Excellence Magazine Publisher, Mayor Akinpelu, among others.
Renowned reggae star, Dr Felyx Duke, and Afrojuju exponent, Yomi Peters, also added glamour to the ceremony, which organisers described as a landmark recognition of Nigerian talents in the diaspora.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Margaret Ochalla, chaired the occasion.
In her welcome address, Chief Press Secretary and Director of Administration of Naija Standard Newspaper Inc. USA, Mrs Mary Otumu, described the ceremony as historic, noting that the award, now in its 14th year, was brought to Nigeria in response to growing calls from Africans in the diaspora.
She said the initiative, organised in collaboration with City People Media Group, was aimed at celebrating outstanding Nigerian creatives globally, while reinforcing the principle that “charity begins at home.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Editor and Group Managing Director of Naija Standard Newspaper Inc. USA, Dr George Elijah Otumu, highlighted the growing economic significance of Nigeria’s music industry.
Citing the Basslines to Billions: Nigeria’s Music Market Intelligence Report, he disclosed that the industry generated over ₦901.7 billion in revenue, with live performances accounting for about 66 per cent of total earnings.
According to him, concerts, festivals and international tours remain the primary income drivers for Nigerian artistes, while streaming platforms contribute a smaller but rapidly growing share.
He added that despite global success, the sector remains under-monetised due to structural challenges such as low subscription rates, weak royalty systems and limited digital payment infrastructure.
Otumu projected that with improved policies and investment, the industry could surpass ₦1.5 trillion by 2033 and potentially grow into a multi-billion-dollar export sector.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the award to Olaleye, who emerged winner from a competitive list of 10 finalists, including internationally recognised acts such as Wale, Jidenna, Rotimi, Skepta, Naira Marley and Portable.
Organisers revealed that Olaleye secured the highest number of votes 45,950 from Africans in the diaspora, based on criteria including lyrical content, public appeal, airplay and cultural representation.
The organisers noted that the award recipient was not physically present at the ceremony for security reasons but joined the event via video call. Speaking during the virtual appearance, Enuope said it was gratifying to see his music recognised not just as entertainment, but as a message.
He thanked his fans and supporters across the globe for their votes and support, and performed excerpts from his latest album, Todun Todun, which contributed to his emergence as the winner.
His son, Babatunde Olaleye, received the award on his behalf and expressed pride in his father’s achievement. He said the recognition has further motivated him to continue striving in his own pursuits, expressing hope that dedication would yield rewards in the future.
Speaking after the event, Dr George Elijah Otumu said the award means a lot to him and his organisation, noting that it serves as a platform to celebrate Nigerian and Yoruba culture and traditions.
He added that the initiative is aimed at projecting Nigeria’s image, arts and culture to the international community.
Olaleye’s earlier album, Undying Dreams, was also noted to be enjoying significant global airplay.
The ceremony attracted media executives, entrepreneurs and cultural stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria, further underscoring the global relevance of the country’s entertainment industry.
The award was powered by Naija Standard Newspaper Inc. USA in conjunction with City People Media Group.
