Alibaba: Burna Boy has represented Nigeria abroad more than our ambassadors

Alibaba, the ace Nigerian comedian, says Burna Boy, the Afrofusion artiste, has “done more for national awareness than any of the country’s ambassadors”.

Alibaba spoke about the impact of the entertainment industry on Nigeria’s economy in a recent interview with Channels TV.

Born Atunyota Akpobome, the 58-year-old lamented that the government did not see prospects in the creative industry years back.

He, however, added that the creative industry’s value has “skyrocketed” and has become one of the major contributors to the nation’s economy.

“Two years ago, a forecast of the economy of Nigeria in the next five years was looked into by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group. Entertainment and the creative industry were not considered. Not one page. In looking forward to Nigeria for the next five years, a booklet of about 200 pages, the creative industry was not there,” he said.

“The value of the creative industry right now? Beyond. For instance, you have a single artiste going to London at the 02 Arena, closing it down and earning close a million, two million pounds, and coming back to Nigeria with that kind of money, even if they took 50% of it… Burna Boy has done a lot more for Nigerian national awareness than any ambassador that has been posted to America, posted to the UK, or posted to any other place.

“So these artistes that are performing are bringing national awareness and making other countries to even know about us than any ambassador would have done.”

Burna Boy gained attention in 2013 after releasing ‘Like to Party,’ the lead single from his debut album ‘L.I.F.E.’

In 2021, Burna Boy set a record in Nigeria after his fifth album ‘Twice As Tall’ won the ‘Best World Music Album’ category at the Grammy Awards.

In April, the singer made the Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people for 2024.

In the same month, the Canadian senate hailed Burna Boy for his contribution to their entertainment space.