Nigeria is a country with exceptional natural and human resources. Nigerians are making history and breaking records all over the world with their industrious, resilient, and bright spirits in a variety of fields. One of the seven realms of influence is entertainment, and Nigerians are excelling in this area.
The "Afrobeat" sound, which originated in Nigeria, is currently one of the most sought-after genres in the world.
In this essay, I'll discuss cities in Nigeria where entertainment is a big deal. However, there are entertainers accomplishing great things in music, stand-up comedy, comedy skits, movies, dance, spoken word, and other areas all across the country (particularly in the southern region), but there are nine places that are (in the past and currently) big in entertainment. Some are the cities where these stars got their start, while others are their current home.
The following are the nine cities:
UYO
This is the capital of one of Nigeria's most beautiful and tranquil states (Akwa Ibom State). The state is gifted with a wide range of abilities.
It is a well-known truth that one Akwa Ibomite or someone who grew up in Uyo makes up 80 to 90 percent of each band that plays for a major Nigerian gospel artist.
The town had a young and fast-rising Entertainment Industry in the pre-covid age, with many of events and so on; nevertheless, the town is rebounding back in 2022, and the Entertainers there aim to benefit from funding to harness the great potential in the State.
Ini Edo, Okon Lagos, MC Galaxy, Freke Umoh, Nasiru Lawal, Mish, Jimmy D Psalmist, and others began their careers in the town.
CITY OF BENIN
Benin, the capital of Edo state, is an old city. It is the country's fourth largest city, and its exquisite Bronze Sculpture is one of its most distinguishing features. Those eye-catching works of art provide a picture of the people's aesthetic abilities.
This also applies to the present Entertainment industry, where a plethora of Creatives are producing incredible works of art in many genres.
Apart from music, one modern form of entertainment that entertainers there are utilizing is comedy skits, of which there are many that have a large following. Mcedopikin, Broda Solo of Laughpills Comedy, Johnny Drille, Rema, and others are some of the city's prominent entertainers.
JOS
J-town has been a fertile and productive ground for the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. The city has grown and earned a national reputation.
If "Chocolate City," the home of the best Jos Entertainers, is not mentioned in the history of Nigerian music in the twenty-first century, it will be incomplete. M.I., JESSE JAGZ, and Ice Prince will be remembered for their contributions to the Rap genre in the music industry for the rest of their lives.
This place also produced Panam Percy Paul, a legendary gospel music artist. Jeremiah Gyang, too.
WARRI
Area - Eh!
Area - Eh!!
Area - Eh!!!
"Warri no dey carry last"
Nigeria's comedy capital is a town where Pidgin English has become the primary language. This city is home to 90% of the world's top standup comedians. Their pidgin has a unique tone that can also be used for entertainment.
A town where cruelty has taken up residence is a boon to the country's entertainment industry. Many of the city's A-list comedians hold their gigs there. Warri is also home to a number of musicians.
This town is home to Alibaba, Ay, I Go Die, The Warri Pikin, Akpororo, Victor AD RED EYE, Erigga Paper Boi, Omawumi, Harrysong, and others.
ASABA
Asaba, like Warri (a sister Local Government in Delta State), has become the second home of Nollywood, the Nigerian Entertainment Industry's film sector. Hundreds of thousands of films have been shot in this lovely city, which has millions of fans throughout the world.
It is reasonable to assume that Asaba is an excellent place to visit if you are thinking of performing or producing a film.
ENUGU "City Standup" (042)
In the 2000s and 2010s, Coal City was the hub/headquarters of music, particularly the Igbo music industry, and many of the names who are currently pounding the airwaves are Coal City products.
Due to the diverse tertiary institutions in the city, entertainment is a huge recreational activity for students and this contributes to the development and growth of the industry there.
Not just music, the movie sector is also thriving as well because there are lots of movies that are produced in the 042 city.
Here are some names who are from or products of 042: Mr. Raw, Obiora Obiwon, Brackets, Frank Edwards Page, PHYNO FINO, Runtown, Flavour, Bobby Friga.
PORT HARCOURT
Unofficially, this city would be perfect to be called the headquarters of the South-south region of Nigeria.
The oil-rich city is home to different Industries which is a good thing for the Entertainment Industry to leverage and build more.
In recent years, both the Gospel and secular sectors have seen notable entertainers from the oil city. AY Live, one of the country's most popular live comedy programs, is based in Port Harcourt.
The city has produced Emmanuella of Mark Angel Comedy.
Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning rapper, was born and raised in this city. Sabinus "the investor" the winner of the AMVCA Best Online Social Content Creator Award for 2022 is also a product.
Duncan Mighty, Mercy Chinwo, Sensational Bamidele, and Prinx Emmanuel are also products of this lovely city.
ABUJA
Abuja, as the country's capital, hasn't always been known for its entertainment, but that is changing in recent years, particularly in the Gospel Music Scene, where there has been an influx of content from local musicians and music groups.
This city is home to artists such as Samsong, Dunsin Oyekan - "The Eagle," Prospa Ochimana, Moses Bliss, Elijah Oyelade, The Gratitude COZA, Jimmy D Psalmist, and more.
Abuja is also home to Faze and Jon Ogah.
The comedy industry is overlooked, despite the fact that many comedians perform in the city.
LAGOS
"Center of Excellence," "Never Sleeping City," "Eko Ni Baje oo" (Nothing will spoil this city).
Since being named the capital of Nigeria from the 1900s until 1991 (which is now Abuja), the city has grown in many ways, particularly its economics, which is a good host to a rich industry like entertainment.
Entertainment is a capital-intensive and parasitic industry that feeds off of other industries. It takes a cheerful person to seek out music or a comedy act, and the same is true for going to the movies.
Lagos, more than any other city in the country, has created the capacity to house and sustain entertainment through time, and the city is succeeding as 90 percent of entertainers, including musicians, comedians, dancers, and skit makers, are based in Lagos.
The good news is that there is already a market for your craft, as long as you have the skills to make it work.
The city's thriving media industry contributes significantly to the industry's strength and vitality. It is reasonable to state that media is the lifeblood of entertainment, and this is especially true in Lagos.
The many entertainment companies are making the most of the metropolis in order to amuse the entire world.
Which city is your favourite?