Nigeria’s First Podcast Festival Highlights the Power of Storytelling

Nigeria’s First Podcast Festival Highlights the Power of Storytelling

Nigeria’s inaugural podcast and storytelling festival, PodFest Naija 2025, took place on Friday, October 10, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event attracted over 1,500 creators, storytellers, brands, and policymakers for a day of insightful discussions, cultural showcases, and innovative experiences.

Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the significant role of podcasts in shaping narratives and amplifying African voices. She described podcasting as a powerful tool for projecting Nigeria’s creative talents to the world, noting its ability to transcend borders and democratize storytelling.

Musawa highlighted the multifaceted nature of the podcasting industry, pointing out that young Nigerians are not just consumers but also creators, hosts, writers, sound engineers, researchers, and digital entrepreneurs. She commended the efforts of Tosin Adefeko, the festival curator and CEO of AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency, for organizing a seamless event that featured three simultaneous live podcast sessions.

The festival also showcased initiatives like the Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP) and the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), which aim to support creators, strengthen intellectual property protections, and unlock opportunities for sustainable growth within the podcasting and creative industries.

PodFest Naija 2025 served as a platform for celebrating storytelling, fostering collaboration across industries, and exploring new formats, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s creative landscape.