Nigeria's Biggest Storytelling Festival, PodFest Naija, Set to Unite Creators and Brands in 2026!

PodFest Naija, a vibrant 'Festival of Stories,' marked its successful second edition on Friday, September 25, at Harbour Point. The event brought together an impressive gathering of over 3,000 attendees, including more than 50 storytellers, creators, podcasters, brands, policymakers, industry leaders, and everyday Nigerians, all converging for a day dedicated to insightful conversations, fruitful collaboration, fostering creativity, and continuous learning.

Curated by The Muvmnt Studio, the storytelling platform arm of AT3 – The Muvmnt Agency, in partnership with Eventful Nigeria, the 2026 edition significantly built upon the achievements of its inaugural festival. It championed a clear and profound belief: that behind every platform lies a person, and behind every person resides a unique story. The festival’s Convener and CEO of AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency, Tosin Adefeko, elaborated on this philosophy, stating, “The festival was created to move the conversation beyond content and platforms to the people and experiences behind them. We needed a convergence. A place where creators, storytellers, brands, policymakers, industry leaders and, most importantly, everyday people could come together and talk about the one thing we all have in common: our lived experiences. Behind every podcast is a person. Behind every microphone is a life. Behind every creator is a journey. And behind every seemingly successful person is a story you probably haven’t heard.”

The festival created a dynamic and engaging space for Nigerians to explore the experiences that shape their lives across six thoughtfully themed stages: Life, Love, Culture, Money, Health, and Brands. Furthermore, a significant addition to this year’s program was the introduction of the Citizen Stage. This innovative stage was designed to bring the everyday experiences and concerns of ordinary Nigerians directly into the heart of the festival, creating an unusual and invaluable meeting point between grassroots voices and some of the country’s most influential storytellers.

A major highlight of the festival was the esteemed participation of His Excellency, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State. Dr. Hamzat delivered a compelling keynote address where he meticulously examined the economic significance of Nigeria’s burgeoning creative sector and highlighted the increasingly pivotal role of technology in how Nigerian culture is not only created but also distributed and exported globally. He passionately asserted, “Lagos is now telling its own story. The podcasters, the filmmakers, the musicians, the writers, the designers, the developers and the entrepreneurs in this room have turned a Lagos microphone into a global broadcast.” He further emphasized the profound impact of this digital reach, adding, “When a young man in Surulere records a conversation in his bedroom and it is streamed in Houston, in London or in Nairobi by the weekend, that is not just content. That is export. That is soft power. That is the Lagos economy speaking to the world in its own voice.”

Among the festival’s most eagerly anticipated moments was The Uncovered Series, where Tosin Adefeko engaged in a candid and in-depth conversation with the acclaimed filmmaker, actress, and producer Funke Akindele. This discussion transcended the usual narratives of awards, box-office records, and public image, delving instead into the core elements of purpose, sacrifice, resilience, creativity, and reinvention that have defined her remarkable journey. This conversation powerfully reflected the central philosophy of PodFest Naija: that the most valuable and often overlooked part of a public story is frequently the part that audiences do not typically see.

PodFest Naija 2026 also served as a launchpad for new talent through 'The Next Big Podcaster,' an initiative spearheaded by The Muvmnt Studio. This program was conceived to discover, develop, and spotlight emerging voices with the potential to significantly shape the future of podcasting in Nigeria. Proudly sponsored by Afrinvest and Yolly, the initiative brought together a new generation of storytellers and culminated in Clement Akintade being announced live on stage as the deserving winner. This initiative forms a crucial part of The Muvmnt Studio’s broader commitment to building a robust pipeline for emerging storytellers and creating sustainable career opportunities for young Nigerians to transform their creativity and passion into viable professions.

In addition to nurturing new talent, the festival also paid homage to established figures through the PodFest Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals whose impactful work, compelling stories, and significant contributions have been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s rich creative and cultural landscape. The event curated a diverse mix of influential storytellers and cultural voices, including Joro Olomofin, Toolz Oniru-Demuren, Ify Mogekwu, Dr. Morenike Molehin, Francesca Uriri, Anthony Wolve, Grace Ofure, Tosin Olaseinde, Rufai Oseni, Fisayo Soyombo, Babajide Ogunsanwo, Joseph Edgar, Khadijah Okunnu, Dr. Foy, and Masoyinbo, among others. Their wide-ranging conversations transcended generational divides, industrial boundaries, and genre classifications, reinforcing a central and powerful message of the festival: that storytelling is far more than simply what is uttered into a microphone. It is fundamentally about identity, memory, ambition, struggle, culture, and the shared experiences that intrinsically connect us all.

Beyond the rich array of conversations, PodFest Naija 2026 was meticulously designed to forge tangible connections between storytelling and genuine opportunity. The comprehensive program featured live podcast recordings, invaluable monetisation masterclasses, intimate creator conversations, practical learning sessions, and dedicated platforms for emerging talent, all reflecting the increasingly vital role of storytelling within Nigeria’s wider creative economy. The festival effectively provided a dynamic meeting point where creators could directly engage with brands, storytellers could learn from the wisdom of industry leaders, emerging talent could discover new and exciting opportunities, and diverse audiences could actively participate in profound conversations that often remain outside the confines of traditional conference spaces.

The success of the 2026 edition was robustly supported by a consortium of leading brands and organizations that continue to acknowledge the powerful intersection of storytelling, culture, creativity, and consumer engagement. Key supporters included The Place, Yolly, Meta, MTN, DNIL, Afrinvest, Page International Finance Company, Lebara, Sahara Foundation, UAC, Coca-Cola, Crown Flour Mills, Beloxxi, Fan Milk, and Eve Essentials. Furthermore, Dashboard Innovations and Clover joined as strategic partners. Their collective participation underscored the growing and significant role that brands play in supporting platforms that cultivate meaningful connections with audiences through authentic cultural expression and genuine storytelling. BellaNaija also served as a proud Media Partner for PodFest Naija 2026.

Ultimately, for The Muvmnt Studio, PodFest Naija transcends the confines of mere podcasting. It is fundamentally about creating an inclusive space where Nigeria can truly hear itself across generations, diverse industries, varied communities, and myriad experiences. From the individual creator wielding a microphone to the entrepreneur meticulously building a business, the policymaker diligently shaping the ecosystem, the brand eloquently telling its story, and the everyday Nigerian navigating the complexities of life, PodFest Naija provides an essential platform for experiences that might otherwise remain unheard. As Tosin Adefeko succinctly puts it: “Everybody has a story. Tell your own.” Every voice inherently carries a story, and every story encapsulates an experience. When these myriad experiences converge, they possess the transformative power to shape how an entire generation perceives itself. PodFest Naija remains committed to building this convergence—a dynamic platform for creativity, collaboration, innovation, and learning—and an ever-growing home for the countless stories that truly deserve to be heard, remembered, and carried far beyond national borders.