Kunle Afolayan, recipient of an award as a filmmaker; Mike Dada, entrepreneur in the entertainment space; Joseph Edgar, producer at the theatre and investment banker; and Mary Ephraim-Egbas, creative industry advocate, have been named panellists for the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.
The news was announced on Monday by Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, publishers of the online newspaper QEDNG.
Entitled “Financing as Catalyst for a Viable Creative Economy,” will focus on creative ways of financing and building Nigeria’s creative sector. It will bring together industry operators, policy influencers, investors, and emerging talents.
Facilitating the discussion panel will be Steve Ayorinde, a veteran journalist, culture campaigner, and former commissioner of Lagos State tourism, arts and culture.
Mr Ayorinde, who was also information and strategy commissioner, is an expert in the creative industries and has written widely on the industry in the public service as well as in the media.
The organisers had already publicised Udeme Ufot, group managing director at SO&U, as chairman of the summit and Dr Nkiru Balonwu, founder of The Africa Soft Power Group, as keynote speaker.
Kunle Afolayan is a highly acclaimed African filmmaker. He has directed critically acclaimed films such as The Figurine, October 1, Citation, and Aníkúlápó.
The acclaimed director is the owner of KAP Hub, which consists of a film production facility, a cinema house, a film academy, and a post-production facility. He is also the brain behind the KAP Film Village and Resort, the cultural and creative village in Oyo State, Nigeria, which serves as a center for filmmaking, tourism, and creative collaboration.
Afolayan is well known for his commitment to bringing authentic African stories and guiding the next generation of filmmakers.
Mike Dada is the founder and president of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), an international platform celebrating musical excellence on the continent. Through his initiative, AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union (AU), has emerged as one of the most highly respected music award ceremonies on the continent, promoting African music and culture globally.
Dada is also the chief executive officer of PRM Africa, a public relations and events management company.
Joseph Edgar, popularly referred to as The Duke of Shomolu, is an investment banker turned theatre producer. He has produced some of stage plays revolving around Nigerian culture and history, including Aremu, Emotan, Bianca and Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again.
His work in theater crossovers from business and culture to investment, proving that arts can be effective and lucrative.
Mary Ephraim-Egbas is the head of Okhma Global, a leading strategic communications and event production company. She’s also the president at Homelands Film and founder of the Africa Film Finance Forum (AFFF), a project aimed at bridging the gap between investors and filmmakers in Africa.
Additionally, she is executive director of SERAS Africa CSR/Sustainability Awards, a top African sustainability recognition platform. Ephraim-Egbas has worked closely with brands and creatives, helping to develop impactful events, brand interactions, and film-related initiatives throughout the continent.
According to Olumide Iyanda, CEO, Mighty Media Plus Network Limited and summit convener, the panellists are the heart and soul of Africa’s creative industries.
“These are professionals who have been able to build careers in film, music, theatre, events, marketing and brand management,” Iyanda said.
“They understand the challenges and opportunities in the creative space. We’re bringing them together to learn from one another, offer practical solutions and encourage action. With Ayorinde as facilitator, this will be a rich and engaging discussion.”
The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit takes place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
It is open to artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, advertisers, financial institutions, policymakers and young talents wishing to create sustainable careers in the creative field.
It is accessible for registration at https://www.qed.ng/creative-powerhouse-summit/.
The statement further said that more announcements will be made as the event approaches.
