Today, a consortium led by the Persianas Group, and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (‘NSIA’ or ‘the Authority’) – an independent investment institution of the Nigerian federation – performed a groundbreaking ceremony for a proposed 12,000-capacity arena in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The landmark event was attended by stakeholders, partners, esteemed Nigerian music artists among others.
The consortium delivering the project includes Tayo Amusan, Chairman of The Persianas Group, the NSIA, Live Nation the world’s leading live entertainment company, and global sports and entertainment company Oak View Group which is behind the £365million Co-op Live arena in Manchester, UK. Other partners include Tunde Folawiyo, Managing Director of the Yinka Folawiyo Group, Nigerian investment fund Adino Capital and MBO Capital. The consortium plans to create a monumental centre for entertainment and sports, with hotel and ample parking space.
Nigeria with its young and rapidly growing population of over 220 million and a vibrant music scene has never had its own dedicated Arena. This is about to change with the proposed $100m Arena in Lagos – the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. This Arena will be the first of its kind and will serve as a home for major entertainment and sporting events in the city. Its versatile design will allow for a diverse range of events including performances by both global and Nigerian music artists, family entertainment, basketball games, UFC fights, boxing matches, WWE shows and so much more.
With aspirations to host more than 200 events each year, the Arena is positioned to emerge as Africa’s leading destination for live entertainment as such it will offer a dedicated space for entertainment and creates exciting opportunities for both local and international artists.
Furthermore, it will usher a significant time in the country’s music industry and overall entertainment landscape thereby catalysing the continued expansion of Nigeria’s thriving music, sports, and entertainment sector. Additionally, the Arena will develop ancillary businesses around entertainment and sports as it is expected to create over 1500 direct and indirect jobs.
Nigerian superstars, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido are leading the way as Afrobeats continues to top global charts. In 2023, Burna Boy became the first African artist to ever headline sold-out stadium shows in the UK and US while Wizkid became the first African artist to headline a major stage with Davido selling out the U.K’s O2 for the third time.
Tayo Amusan, Chairman, Persianas Group said: “Project Arena has been a long time coming and it is an honour to bring this project to life. This project is monumental in supporting Nigeria’s thriving entertainment and sports industry. A state of the art, music-first arena, driven by technology will allow our Artists deliver world-class performances to a home audience, something that has been missing for a long time now. Beyond music, the Arena will also serve as a home for major sporting events including basketball games, UFC among others. This is indeed an exciting time for us all.”
Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, CEO, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, said: “We are excited to be a part of this watershed moment with great potential to re-position the Nigerian entertainment sector. This groundbreaking ceremony is the culmination of extensive planning, collaboration and dedication of all parties involved. We look forward to delivering a world class facility that will serve as a hub for entertainment, sports and cultural events for generations to come”.
Davido, said: “I am excited to hear that work has now started on building the Arena in Lagos. This is something that has been missing in the entertainment landscape in Nigeria for a very long time. Building an Arena in Nigeria means that artists like me will be able to deliver world class performances at home to our fans who have supported us through the years”.
“We are incredibly excited to be part of the consortium delivering this groundbreaking arena in Lagos. Nigeria and Africa more broadly present massive opportunities to touring artists when it comes to connecting with their global audiences. This brand new 12,000 capacity venue will open up Nigeria to international stars, and Nigerian artists will benefit hugely from having an arena to showcase their talents in front of a home audience,” said John Reid, President Live Nation EMEA.
“Nigerian artists are some of the most influential in the world right now and yet they have nowhere to play in their home market. We want to change that. This consortium, headed by Tayo Amusan, has shown enormous tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit in getting this project off the ground and we are proud to be their partner. The arena will also give major brands – both global and local – the chance to showcase to Nigerian audiences for the first time at over 200 electrifying events per year”, said Oak View Group Chairman and CEO, Tim Leiweke.
Construction of the arena begins today, and completion is expected in December 2025.
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