Oyo Entertainment Finally Matters to Politicians — But Will Anyone Actually Fix It?
Oyo State’s entertainment industry has suddenly become a major subject of political conversation, and quite frankly, it is difficult not to wonder why it took this long.
For the first time in years, particularly since the return to democratic governance and the 1999 election cycle, politicians seeking to govern Oyo State appear increasingly interested in sitting down with stakeholders in the local entertainment industry.
What should ordinarily be a normal and necessary engagement now looks almost extraordinary.
It began with Senator Sarafadeen Alli and his Young, Bold and Creative event, which brought together creative talents and entertainment stakeholders from across Oyo State. The programme was packaged by Skillful Montage, one of Alli’s long-time associates.
To me, however, it was largely an engagement that generated conversations without producing a clear declaration, verdict or actionable roadmap capable of addressing the fundamental problems confronting the local entertainment industry.
Now, another political conversation appears to be taking shape.
Just yesterday, a friend and artiste who I managing as a talent manager forwarded a letter to me. The letter, written on the letterhead of gubernatorial aspirant Oriyomi Hamzat, invited him to a stakeholders’ meeting expected to focus on finding solutions to the challenges confronting Oyo State’s entertainment industry.
Let us hope this does not become another political jamboree where stakeholders gather, speeches are delivered, photographs are taken and everybody goes home — only for nothing meaningful to happen afterwards.
Interestingly, I was also informed yesterday that the APM government in Oyo State had invited members of the Hypelords Association for a stakeholder engagement.
There is, therefore, an interesting development unfolding: politicians are beginning to realise that entertainment is no longer merely about concerts, DJs, artistes and nightlife. It is an economic ecosystem involving creative talents, event organisers, managers, promoters, media practitioners, producers, content creators, venues, technical crews and several other professionals.
The irony, however, is that Oyo State already has some institutional structures through which these issues could be addressed.
The Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, headed by Prince Falana Adebowale Adebayo, officially exists and identifies creative industries among the areas through which young people can be supported.
The administration of Governor Seyi Makinde also deserves credit for establishing and activating an agency dedicated to youth development. The agency has subsequently organised and supported entertainment-related initiatives, including competitions and large-scale youth entertainment programmes.
The state also has the Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, with structures covering performing arts, theatre and business management, among others.
So, the problem is not necessarily the complete absence of government structures.
The bigger problem may actually be the stakeholders themselves.
For nearly two years, there has been an opportunity to build a more coordinated framework around the industry. Yet the stakeholders have not collectively done enough to define what they want, identify their priorities and present government with a unified, practical agenda.
Instead, too much attention appears to be directed towards waiting for the next Davido concert or another major national artiste to perform in Ibadan.
That is not an entertainment industry strategy.
I have consistently argued that the most critical problem in Ibadan affects contemporary artistes — particularly recording artistes. They are arguably one of the foundations upon which a sustainable local music ecosystem should be built. From them, an industry can expand into management, publishing, distribution, production, promotion, media, events and other creative practices.
Government alone cannot solve this.
The media has a role. Industry stakeholders have a role. Artistes have a role. Promoters, managers, broadcasters and other practitioners all have responsibilities.
The state government can create structures, policies and opportunities, but those structures must be met by an organised industry capable of articulating its needs and holding itself accountable.
Oyo State’s entertainment industry is not simply looking for another meeting.
It is in a state of emergency.
And if the current wave of political interest is genuine, the real test will not be how many stakeholders are invited into a room.
The real test will be what happens after everyone leaves the room.
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