Social Media Week (SMW) made its debut in Africa on Monday, and the host city, Lagos, is one of Africa’s most vibrant and robust metropolises. With a population of just under 21 million people, and ranked as the seventh fastest growing city in the world, Lagos (locally know as Las Gidi) is playing host to 100 events over a five day period, something that has never been done before in the city.
The dynamic and visionary team behind this landmark event hitting the shores of West Africa is Obi Asika, chairman of Social Media Week Lagos and founder of Dragon Africa, and Ngozi Odita, founder of Society HAE. Odita, who participated in SMW New York as a panelist in 2011, presented the idea to Asika in September of 2012. Together they pitched the founder of SMW and, within a few short weeks, the duo’s proposal was accepted and SMW Lagos planning began.
Asika and Odita have garnered a huge amount of national and international support, most notably from Nigeria’s Honorable Commissioner of Science and Technology Adebiy Mabadeje, but also from former Nigerian presidents, chief executives from the country’s top companies, its advisory board, thought leaders and influencers.
Initially, Asika and Odita planned to fund SMW Lagos personally, but corporate sponsors quickly jumped on board. The event has received financial support from key sponsors and partners such as Etisalat Nigeria, Stanbic Ibtc Bank, EFInA and Galaxy Backbone. Local companies like MNET, Channel O and Beat FM are serving as media partners.
Thought leaders and influencers have converged on Lagos from around Nigeria, various
African countries, the United States and Europe. Attendees have the opportunity to sit in on panel discussions featuring well-known technology ninjas and social media aficionados, as well as expect to hear about how to use leverage social media tools for business success.“The way young Nigerians and Africans are already using these [social media] tools is incredible, and Social Media Week Lagos will further drive collaboration,†said Asika. “For too long our people have stayed in their silos and not shared knowledge; we believe this is key and now look forward to pushing out even more information from Nigeria in a sophisticated and aligned way.â€
To date, more than 6,000 people have registered for SMW Lagos. The event currently has more mentions across social media than all the other SMW13 cities combined, according to the advisory board.
The SMW Lagos advisory board has helped herald in this innovative move. The board includes tech moguls such as Briant Biggs, head of global and mobile strategies for Roc Nation, Chika Nwobi, founder of mobile and Internet company L5Lab, and Uche Pedro, managing director and founder of BellaNaija.com, one of Africa’s leading lifestyle, entertainment and fashion blogs.
“Social Media Week Lagos is a powerful tool to showcase to the world brand Africa and its most populous country, Nigeria,†said Marcus Glover, co-founder of Glu Agency and SMW Lagos advisory board member. “It allows for the world to see that Africa is not only a part of the conversation but leading it.”
While there will be tons of thought-provoking panels taking place, there will also be time for fun–and prominent Nigerians like former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo
, popular Nigerian music producer Don Jazzy and leading Nigerian artist 2face are all expected to attend various VIP events.Asika is confident this is just the beginning and sees SMW Lagos as a mainstay in Africa.
“My intention is always to drive innovation, Social Media Week Lagos has come to stay, said Asika. “Nigerians are viral by nature and these tools simply help to drive the conversation. It’s about time people realized this is no longer the Dark Continent; this is where a lot of the stories of this century will be made and told.”
For more information on Social Media Week Lagos, visit www.socialmediaweek.org/Lagos or follow @SMWLagos.