The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has emphasised the importance of podcasts in Nigeria, saying they represent one of the most powerful tools for shaping narratives and amplifying African voices.
Musawa spoke at Nigeria's first ever podcast and storytelling festival, PodFest Naija - A Festival of Stories, on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Drawing over 1,500 creators, storytellers, brands and policymakers for a day of powerful conversations, cultural showcases and innovation, the minister talked about the growing importance of podcasting in amplifying Nigeria's creative voice globally.
"I had an incredible time at PodFest Naija 2025, Nigeria's first dedicated podcast and storytelling festival. A gathering that brought together our nation's brightest minds, boldest storytellers, and cultural innovators under one roof," she said.
"Podcasting has become one of the most powerful tools for projecting our soft power and amplifying Nigerian creativity to the world.
"It is a veritable medium that transcends borders, democratising how stories are told and who gets to tell them."
She further highlighted podcasting as a strategic tool for youth engagement and job creation.
"Our young people are not just listeners. They are creators. They are hosts. They are writers. They are sound engineers, researchers and digital entrepreneurs. Everything that speaks to that value chain from the bottom to the up. I think podcasting covers everything," Musawa added.
"Mr. President is really committed to looking at how we can fortify the future of the young people. And the only way that we can do that is by absorbing as many young people into the job market as possible.
"Special commendation to Tosin Adefeko , the convener, and her amazing team for an excellently organized event. Seamlessly hosting three simultaneous live podcast sessions in such a coordinated manner. You carry this vision with such passion and precision. This platform is instrumental in building the next generation of storytellers.
"Podcasting, to me, represents one of the most powerful tools for shaping narratives and amplifying African voices. It is redefining how we tell our stories, bridging gaps between generations, and connecting Nigeria to the world through authentic, homegrown perspectives.
"Through initiatives like the Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP) and the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), our Ministry remains committed to supporting creators, strengthening intellectual property protections, and unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth within the podcasting and creative industries."
Curated by The Muvmnt Studio in partnership with Eventful, the festival delivered on its promise to bring Nigeria's most influential voices together to celebrate storytelling, collaborate across industries, innovate new formats, and learn from leading voices shaping the future.
From live podcast recordings to interactive brand activations, six themed stages, and a major masterclass on monetization, the festival became the cultural and creative heartbeat of Lagos for a day.
Adefeko, Curator of PodFest Naija and CEO of AT3 Resources - The Muvmnt Agency, reflected on the festival's journey and purpose.
"When we started this journey, our vision was simple: to tell better stories. Over time, we realized that everyone was working in silos, there was no platform bringing the tribe together. We knew something had to change," Adefeko said.
"Podfest Naija was born out of that realization. It's a festival of stories, a creative convergence designed to celebrate our voices, collaborate across communities, innovate in how stories are told, and learn from one another. Whether we like it or not, the podcast ecosystem is here to stay, and we intend to stand at the forefront of that movement."
The festival's lineup featured over 40 storytellers and cultural icons, including Chude Jideonwo, Tunde Onakoya, Adaora Mbelu, Rufai Oseni, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Masoyinbo and many others, who led conversations that cut across generations, genres, and industries.
One of the day's most anticipated moments was the unveiling of "The Next Big Podcaster," an initiative by The Muvmnt Studio to spotlight emerging talent set to redefine the podcast space.
Pearllie Hart was announced live on stage as the winner, positioning her as a podcaster to watch under The Muvmnt Studio's spotlight.
As Nigeria cements its place in the global creative landscape, PodFest Naija stands as a rallying point for creators, policymakers, and brands to celebrate creativity, collaborate on ideas, innovate formats, and learn from shared experiences, shaping narratives that travel beyond borders.