adminTHERE has been an influx of Nigerian influencers and celebrities visiting our shores for new opportunities which are found in our country.
Most of them are coming for business ventures, church conferences and live musical performances.
We have seen an increase in the number of very influential Nigerian superstars who are coming here.
Names which instantly come to mind include Joe Bwoy, D’banj and Burna Boy.
The trio held sold out gigs in Harare.
In Christian circles, Ada Ehi and Minister Guc were in the country last month.
Last weekend, renowned televangelist and philanthropist Dr Chris Okafor was in Harare for a three-day peace conference.
Fellow Nigerian gospel supremo, Christian Bassey, is also expected in Harare.
He is billed to perform at Celebration Centre on Africa Day.
It’s evident that Nigerian artists have either found a new market in Zimbabwe or fallen in love with this country.
A few years back, Jamaican singers had “adopted” Harare as their fertile market but this is no longer the case.
The focus has, however, turned to Nigerian influencers/celebrities.
Not only are Nigerian celebrities conquering our showbiz space, their influence is also being heavily felt.
Some have delivered their best while others flopped.
However, we should also have a win-win situation whereby Zimbabwean artists/influencers also tap into the Nigerian market.
It would be interesting for Alick Macheso, or any other top performer, to hold a big show in Nigeria.
How will he possibly be received in Africa’s most populous nation?
Do they even know his hit songs for them to appreciate his music or do they even like sungura out there?
We don’t really know but everything has to start from somewhere.
Local artists and influencers should think outside the box and establish new markets.
To date, comedienne Mai TT has tried her best to forge alliances with Nollywood producers.
Although she is yet to make a breakthrough in the West African country’s film industry, at least, she is making efforts to penetrate the new market.
Musicians Buffalo Soulja and Jah Prayzah have also made giant strides to make inroads in the West African country through collaborations.
Jah Prayzah has collaborated with Davido.
Our influencers need to forge alliances with Nigerian festival organisers or events planners to tap into the Western African country’s showbiz market.
It appears local artists are not ready to take risks and try to penetrate other African markets.
A change of mind-set is needed among local artists, or celebrities, if they really want to be internationally recognised. It appears most players in our creative sector are happy being celebrated on home soil.
With Nigerian celebrities boasting of huge followings, Zimbabwean artists should see the new opportunities, which lie in Nigeria.
This can be made possible through collaborative efforts as well as cultural exchange initiatives.
The campaign should be initiated by the artists themselves.
The good thing about Nigeria is the population, a market of over 220 million people at the last count.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter