Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat will deliver the keynote address at PodFest Naija – A Festival of Stories, speaking directly to the young creators, podcasters, and storytellers driving Nigeria's fast-growing creative economy.

The festival is scheduled for September 25, 2026, at Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos.

An engineer with substantial technology and business experience, Hamzat will focus his address on creativity, technology, culture, and the future of the people of Lagos. His participation signals support for the storytellers, podcasters, and content creators shaping the economy of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial and cultural capital.

He joins a lineup of storytellers, creators, and brands that includes Funke Akindele, Aproko Doctor, Rufai Oseni, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, Babajide Ogunsanwo, Duke of Shomolu, Audu Maikori, Tosin Olaseinde, Fisayo Soyombo, Grace Ofure, Masoyinbo, Salem King, Dr. Foy, Toolz, and William Benson, among many others. The festival is built to celebrate the power of stories and their influence on culture, business, and society.

PodFest Naija was created as a convergence point for Nigeria's storytelling ecosystem — a platform to celebrate creativity, foster collaboration, showcase innovation, and provide a space for learning among storytellers. Building on a breakout debut edition, this year's festival returns with a deeper lineup of storytellers, more live podcasts, masterclasses, talent discovery, and an experiential arena, with the government now standing alongside the brands backing the event. That pairing of public-sector and corporate backing underlines the festival's central pitch: storytelling in Lagos is not only culture, but an economic activity in its own right.

"Lagos creates culture that Nigeria and Africa export to the world: music, film, fashion, comedy, Art and increasingly storytelling itself are economic assets; so having the Deputy Governor speak directly to our storytellers is a turning point for this festival," said Tosin Adefeko, Curator of PodFest Naija and Chief Executive Officer of AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency.

"This is government affirming that this is an environment where creators can build sustainable businesses. This changes what this festival means for every young person walking into Harbour Point on September 25."

PodFest Naija 2026 is backed by Eventful, Dashboard, The Place, Yolly, MTN, DNIL, Afrinvest, Page International Finance Company, Lebara, and Sahara Foundation, alongside FMCG partners UAC, Coca-Cola, Crown Flour Pasta, Beloxxi, Fan Milk, and Eve Essentials.

The festival's media and creative partners include Optimum Exposures, Next Phase Vision Limited, Nimbus Media, Bella Naija, OSG Media, The Cable, Nairametrics, MediaRoomHub, Live with Lynda, Newscentral, City FM, Citizen FM 971, VOP 90.3FM, Radio Jusmen, Glazia Magazine, GAH Media, Naijapreneur, and Nevon.

PodFest Naija 2026 returns to Harbour Point on September 25 as further proof that Nigeria's storytelling ecosystem has found its home. Details of the event are available on the official PodFest Naija website.