Mainland Block Party Revives Local Music Touring in Nigeria
Wafricnews - 18, June 2025
In an industry where local music tours have nearly disappeared, one movement is boldly rewriting the script: The Mainland Block Party is not just throwing concerts — it’s building a touring blueprint for Nigeria’s music future.
Founded by visionary entertainment entrepreneur Oluwatobi “Alhaji Popping” Mohammed, and powered by influential partners Bizzle Osikoya and Asa Asika of The Plug, the Block Party is positioning itself as a catalyst in restoring what used to be a vibrant touring culture in Nigeria.
The Rise and Fall of Nigerian Music Touring
There was a time when Nigerian cities lit up year-round with live music shows, backed by multinationals and local sponsors. From Lagos to Enugu, fans could count on watching their favourite stars perform in person. But that era has faded.
Now, touring in Nigeria is almost non-existent, thanks to a mix of economic instability, security concerns, and lack of infrastructure. Nigerian artists, understandably, are choosing foreign markets — where returns are safer and systems are better — over local stages.
Today, the average fan often has to wait until Detty December before seeing their music idols perform — and even then, only in a few major cities.
Block Party Changes the Game
Against these odds, The Mainland Block Party is lighting a new fire, organizing bold, immersive shows across Nigeria — and even internationally — with a clear mission: bring the stars closer to the fans.
Over its 7-year journey, Block Party has made major waves, delivering top-tier performances from Afrobeats royalty in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and even London. It’s more than an event — it’s a cultural movement.
Recently, Block Party upped the ante by partnering with genre-defying rapper ODUMODUBLVCK for a historic university tour across 8 campuses in Nigeria. In a time when local touring is at a near standstill, this move sent a clear message: local tours can and must return — with intention and structure.
“Nobody Will Build It for Us”
Speaking with Wafricnews, founder Tobi Mohammed was candid about the mission.
“It’s time we, as an industry and a nation, figure out touring in Nigeria. Nobody is going to do this for us,” he said.
“The foreign investors have already figured out Afrobeats' global exportation and commercialization. We can’t wait for them to help us build local touring.”
Mohammed views this work as a duty — not just a business, believing that if Nigeria wants to truly benefit from Afrobeats’ international momentum, it must develop homegrown touring structures that serve both artists and fans.
Building the Road Back
While many complain about the decline of live events, Block Party is laying bricks, one concert at a time, for what may become Nigeria’s first truly reliable touring framework in the post-Afrobeats boom.
With the right support — from fans, brands, venues, and policy makers — Block Party’s model could pave the way for a full-scale touring renaissance, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent.
By Wafricnews Desk.
By Wafricnews Desk.
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