Lagos state has been officially announced as the host for the 2025 Best Of Nollywood (BON) Awards.
The 17th edition is also set to take place on December 14 at the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island.
The award organisers announced the development during a formal presentation of the hosting rights to Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at a ceremony attended by a delegation of Nollywood luminaries.
The delegation included industry veterans and stars such as Segun Arinze, Biola Adebayo, Femi Branch, Wole Ojo, and Scarlet Gomez.
It was led by BON Awards founder Seun Oloketuyi and executive director Feranmi Olaoye.
Also in attendance was Toke Benson, the Lagos commissioner for tourism, arts and culture.
At the event, Sanwo-Olu outlined his administration’s philosophy on supporting the creative sector and emphasised that its role extends far beyond financial sponsorship.
He also stated that the government is “intentional about empowering creatives” to elevate the entire industry.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult to quantify what we do, but we know too well that the industry needs support. The sector needs to be elevated and encouraged,” he said.
“Everything that we’re doing should be thought of around the benefits that come, not necessarily to us as a government, but in a way that people will appreciate. It’s certainly not about us, it’s not about the ministry; it is about the people, that’s the whole context for us.
“We are also very intentional about helping the creative industry give opportunities and voices to the voiceless that may not get the opportunity to be heard. More importantly, also help in terms of employment generation and wealth creation, ensuring that we can support a huge demographic of young people.
“For us, it’s really not just about supporting or sponsoring; it’s more around ensuring that the sector has the kind of support that is needed.”
The governor also praised the organisers for their ambitious plan to attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest red carpet, stretching an unprecedented eight kilometres.
Also speaking, Oloketuyi disclosed that the event’s return to Lagos signifies a full-circle moment, as the awards began in the state before touring all six of Nigeria’s geo-political zones.
According to him, over the years, the ceremony has been hosted in states including Kwara, Kano, Imo, Oyo, Osun, Kogi, and Ondo.
The organisers described the decision to bring the award ceremony back to Lagos as a strategic move designed to solidify the state’s status as the “undeniable heart of Nigeria’s booming creative economy”.
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