Omah Lay, Seyi Vibez Thrill Fans As Motherland Festival Makes Debut in Lagos: “Bigger Than December”
- Omah Lay, Odumodublvck united Nigerians at home and abroad in a powerful celebration of culture via Motherland Festival
- The festival delivered a standout entertainment experience, blending music, storytelling to create a modern homecoming atmosphere
- Fans and funseekers who attended the star-studded event shared their experience with Legit.ng
Motherland Festival 2025 closed its inaugural edition on December 20 with a powerful cultural statement, bringing Nigerians at home and across the diaspora together in a shared celebration of identity, culture and belonging.
The festival welcomed over 8,000 attendees, marking what many described as a meaningful return to roots and a new benchmark for live entertainment experiences in Nigeria
Source: Instagram
Conceived as more than just a music festival, Motherland was designed as a homecoming. It created a space where Nigerians from different cities, countries and generations could reconnect through music, storytelling and shared experiences.
From the vibrant energy in the crowd to the personal moments exchanged on and off stage, the atmosphere captured the emotional weight of coming home.
The festival delivered a world-class experience from start to finish. With a state-of-the-art stage, international-standard sound and lighting, immersive visuals and carefully designed spaces, Motherland mirrored the quality of leading global festivals while celebrating Nigerian culture in a modern and elevated way.
The attention to detail signalled a shift in what large-scale festivals in Nigeria can look and feel like.
Music was at the heart of the experience. Headlined by Omah Lay, the lineup featured a diverse mix of artists, including Seyi Vibez, Odumodublvck, The Cavemen, Fola, Qing Madi and others.
The performances spanned generations and styles, blending live instrumentation, soulful storytelling and high-energy contemporary sounds that reflected the full spectrum of Nigerian music.
Attendees and fans praised both the scale and quality of the event. “This was honestly the best festival I’ve been to,” one guest said.
“The energy, the production, the crowd — I’ve never experienced anything like it in Lagos before.”
Beyond entertainment, Motherland Festival made a tangible impact.
The event supported the local creative and service economy, engaging hundreds of vendors, technicians, designers and hospitality partners.
It also strengthened Nigeria’s growing appeal as a cultural tourism destination, with many attendees travelling specifically to reconnect with home through the festival.
Source: Instagram
A major part of the festival’s impact came through its partnership with First Bank of Nigeria. Beyond sponsorship, the bank supported diaspora participation by providing on-site access to essential financial and identity services.
Attendees were able to open bank accounts, complete BVN and NIN registrations, and receive banking support directly at the festival grounds, addressing challenges often faced by Nigerians returning from abroad.
By integrating these services into the cultural experience, First Bank helped make reconnection more practical, inclusive and seamless.
From airport touchpoints to festival activations, the bank supported both celebration and long-term engagement with home. Jameson and Pepsi also played key roles as sponsors, contributing to the energy, social atmosphere and overall scale of the event.
Looking ahead, the founders of Motherland Festival shared their vision for the future. “Motherland has always been bigger than December,” they said
. “Our focus is on creating spaces for connection and celebrating excellence as a global community all year round. As Motherland continues to grow, we’re excited to keep honouring who we are as a people, whether we’re at home or far away.”
Motherland Festival 2025 ultimately showed that a homecoming can be emotional, cultural and practical at the same time.
It highlighted what is possible when world-class execution meets purpose-driven partnerships and a clear commitment to diaspora inclusion.
Wizkid, Seyi Vibez and seven other musicians who dominated Spotify in 2025
Legit.ng earlier reported that Spotify Wrapped 2025 spotlighted Nigerian artists’ dominance, with both superstars and rising acts shaping the year’s streaming trends.
Hit songs and albums from Afrobeats, Afro-Adura, and emerging sounds led local charts while also gaining strong international traction.
The list reflects both the most-streamed tracks and albums, as well as artists’ overall streaming performance locally and internationally.
Source: Legit.ng
