Nigeria Launches Amplify Live Production Academy to Elevate Live Event Standards

On Thursday, Lagos pulsed with anticipation as the Amplify Live Production Academy opened its doors during the second annual Amplify Live Production Conference. The new training hub is set to equip sound engineers, lighting designers, event promoters and other technical crew with instruction that meets international benchmarks.

The conference, organized by the Amplify Live Production team, gathered a who's‑who of the industry—Shola Oyebade, Shola Oladimeji (Mahogany), Kumi Ariyo, Stella Daniels and Femi Dayo—among others. It followed the inaugural 2025 event, which carried the theme “From Hustle to Industry.” The 2026 edition, titled “The Business of Live,” shifted the focus toward turning the sector into a viable wealth‑creation industry.

Convener Siji Ewedemi explained that the Academy is part of a broader effort to build a structured, globally competitive live‑production industry in Nigeria and across Africa. He said, “Training remains one of the most effective ways of achieving the goal. The most promising way of achieving this is through training.” Ewedemi added that many prominent figures on the global entertainment scene are Nigerian and that there is an urgent need to develop local technical professionals capable of supporting the industry at international standards. The Academy’s curriculum will be based on global best practices, and graduates will receive certificates that the organisation says will be recognised worldwide.

During his keynote address, events expert Temidayo Oladehin urged practitioners to adopt stronger business practices, fair pricing and clearer contractual structures to address the sector’s financial challenges. He cautioned against measuring success solely by the number of events a practitioner is involved in and instead urged stakeholders to focus on building sustainable businesses.

The Academy’s launch reflects a broader trend of professionalisation within Nigeria’s live‑events industry. The country’s entertainment sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, with a surge in music festivals, concerts and corporate events. Historically, the industry has operated as an informal hustle, with limited formal training and certification for technical crew.

By offering structured training and internationally recognised certification, the Amplify Live Production Academy aims to raise the technical quality of live events in Nigeria and position the country as a destination for global productions. Its focus on sound engineering, lighting design, event promotion and other behind‑the‑scenes roles addresses a critical skills gap that has constrained the industry’s ability to compete on a global stage.

The conference also highlighted the importance of business acumen. Oladehin’s remarks about fair pricing and contractual clarity underline a growing awareness that technical excellence must be paired with sound business practices to sustain long‑term growth.

Courses will begin in the coming months, with enrolment open to both newcomers and experienced practitioners. Graduates will receive certificates that the Academy claims will be recognised by international partners.

As Nigeria’s live‑events industry continues to expand, the Amplify Live Production Academy represents a concrete step toward professionalising the sector and aligning it with global standards. The launch at the second conference signals a commitment to building a structured, wealth‑creating industry that can support the country’s growing entertainment ambitions.