The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is currently in Lagos for the Lagos Canvas event, which will see him celebrate the creative industries, including Nollywood, fashion, and Afrobeats music.

The Mayor will join leading figures from the city’s art and entertainment industries to celebrate creative connections and forge new partnerships.

The event is organised by media mogul Mo Abudu. It will include a live music performance by Rising Afro-soul talent Konstance, fashion curated by House of Zeta and featuring designers Hertunba and Wannifuga, art curated by Soto Gallery and featuring visual artist Johnson Uwadinma and multimedia artist Obi Nwaegbe, and films curated by EbonyLife Films, including clips by leading film directors Jade Osiberu and Kayode Kasum.

Sadiq Khan said: “London and Lagos are two of the most culturally dynamic cities in the world, with our music, film, fashion, design and digital creativity leading the way.

“I’m proud that across both capitals you can feel the influence of our long-standing and deeply-rooted connection, and as both of our creative industries thrive I want to see even closer collaboration.

“That’s why I’m delighted to join with the very best of Lagos’s art and entertainment business today. By working together to showcase our creativity, develop new partnerships and learn from each other, we can drive our economies forward, unite our communities and inspire young people.”

Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife Group, said: "We are truly delighted to be co-hosting this special evening alongside the Mayor of London right here at EbonyLife Place in Lagos. It reflects the growing global recognition of the creative industry as a powerful driver of cultural and economic exchange. With Canvas Lagos, we are building bridges between Lagos and London — two vibrant cities bound by innovation, resilience, and an abundance of creative talent."

According to the London government's website, a London edition of Lagos Canvas is also planned for later this year, with the support of the Lagos State Government, to bring together outstanding talent across music, fashion, film, and art and celebrate the spirit of Lagos on an international stage.

"The African continent has had a significant influence on London’s creative industries, including art, fashion and music. Afrobeat is currently one of London’s most popular music genres, and in 2023, Burna Boy became the first artist from the African continent to headline a stadium show in the UK, returning to play there again last year," the government said.

"Lagos’s creative industries are also thriving, with the capital rated as Africa’s top city for creative economy performance, thanks to its incredible music, film, fashion and design scenes. Nigeria’s film industry is renowned with Nollywood the second largest global film industry in terms of production.

"Across Nigeria, the creative industry contributes approximately $5.6 billion to the nation's GDP, with the creative sector the country’s second-largest employer. Nigeria’s Government aims for the country’s creative economy to generate $100 billion by 2030 and Sadiq wants London to create even closer ties and long-term partnerships to help drive our economies, unite communities and inspire young people."



ASA