As Afrobeats continues to command global attention, attract commercial opportunities and shape perceptions of contemporary African music, an important question remains: are the people responsible for its success receiving a fair share of the value they create?
That question will take centre stage at the 2026 Wale Olomu Memorial Awards (WOMA) Roundtable, scheduled for Saturday, 12 December 2026, with three distinguished figures from Nigeria’s music industry confirmed as panellists.
Under the theme “Afrobeats Is Bigger Than Ever – But Are the People Behind the Music Getting Their Fair Share?”, the 90-minute conversation will bring together music lawyer and rights advocate Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, veteran music executive and entrepreneur Efe Omorogbe, and celebrated music producer, arranger and keyboardist Lemmy Otu Jackson.
The Roundtable will be broadcast via The Vintage Talkshow on TopRadio 90.9 FM, between 7.30 am and 9.00 am WAT.
The choice of panellists offers three complementary perspectives on an industry whose international growth has raised fresh questions about ownership, remuneration, professional recognition, business sustainability and the distribution of value across the music value chain.
Akinyemi Ayinoluwa
Founder of Hightower Solicitors and Advocates, brings more than 16 years of experience in intellectual property, royalty structures and international music business. Named by Billboard as one of the top music lawyers of 2025, he represents artistes, songwriters, producers, record labels, managers and investors. A former professional musician himself, he understands both the creative and commercial sides of the industry. His other ventures include the Akinyemilaw Songwriters Contest, Amelia Songs and Lionel Records. His central conviction is that creators must understand, own and profit from their rights.
Efe Omorogbe
He is a veteran music executive, talent manager, songwriter, filmmaker and creative entrepreneur whose career spans more than 25 years. From his beginnings in entertainment journalism, he has gone on to establish and lead influential businesses and platforms, including Now Muzik and Buckwyld Media Network. He also co-founded Hypertek Digital and 960 Music Group, contributing to the development of the business structures and platforms that have helped African popular music expand its reach. His experience offers a valuable perspective on artist management, investment, commercial development and the institutional foundations of a sustainable music industry.
Lemmy Otu Jackson
He is one of Nigeria’s respected music producers, arrangers and keyboardists, with a career that has helped shape the sound of several generations. His production credits include enduring recordings by Oby Onyioha, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Onyeka Onwenu, King Sunny Adé, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, The Mandators and many others. A three-time consecutive winner of the Nigerian Music Awards’ Best Producer of the Year, he has also received seven Gold and Platinum Disc Awards. Beyond the recording studio, he has contributed to music infrastructure and technical capacity development, including the design and establishment of Millennium Studio in Akwa Ibom State.
Together, the three panellists are expected to explore some of the industry’s most pressing questions: Who owns the music and its associated rights? How adequately are songwriters, producers, instrumentalists and other creative contributors rewarded? Are the structures supporting the Afrobeats business keeping pace with its global success? And what must change to ensure that commercial growth translates into lasting benefits for the people who create, develop and sustain the music?
The Roundtable is a key feature of the fourth edition of WOMA, organised in memory of Wale Olomu, the respected entertainment journalist and editor whose commitment to recognising talent and celebrating professional contributions continues to inspire the initiative.
WOMA’s philosophy is to discover, appreciate and promote people whose work has helped shape the entertainment industry, including contributors whose achievements may not always receive the recognition they deserve. Its annual awards recognise outstanding practitioners through the Special Recognition Award and Lifetime Achievement Award categories.
The 2026 edition carries the theme “Celebrating the People Behind the Glory.” The Roundtable takes place on 12 December, while the WOMA Awards ceremony follows on Saturday, 19 December 2026.
Supported by the Dayo Olomu Foundation and Angel of Hope, WOMA continues its effort to place deserved recognition, professional contribution and the preservation of industry history at the heart of entertainment culture.
EVENT DETAILS
WOMA 2026 ROUND TABLE
Afrobeats Is Bigger Than Ever – But Are the People Behind the Music Getting Their Fair Share?
Date: Saturday, 12 December 2026
Time: 7.30 am – 9.00 am WAT
Broadcast: The Vintage Talkshow, TopRadio 90.9 FM
Panelists: Akinyemi Ayinoluwa | Efe Omorogbe | Lemmy Otu Jackson
WOMA 2026 – Celebrating the People Behind the Glory.
For Enquiries:
Femi Akintunde-Johnson (FAJ)
Coordinator, WOMA 2026
Tel: 0803 315 0547
Email: waleolomu1994@gmail.com
