Patoranking – Nigerian music artist and performer, Adesope Olajide (AKA Shopsy Doo) – broadcaster and definer of the Afrobeats scene, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede – Director of the Africa Initiative for Governance and Helen Dempster - Assistant Director at Centre for Global Development
On 21 September, the Foreign Affairs Committee continued its inquiry into the relationship between Nigeria and the UK, focusing on the close relations of Nigeria and the UK in many areas including education, performing arts and business.
The first half of this session heard from representatives of the music industry, Patoranking, a Nigerian music artist and performer and Adesope Olajide (AKA Shopsy Doo), broadcaster and definer of the Afrobeats scene, who discussed the challenges facing Nigerian music artists and where the UK could work to overcome barriers and equip aspiring artists to take advantage of opportunities.
The second half of the session focussed on options for UK involvement in up-skilling the Nigerian tech workforce and capacity building for Nigerian civil servants, hearing from Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Director of the Africa Initiative for Governance and Helen Dempster, Assistant Director at Centre for Global Development.
Patoranking
Patoranking is the stage name of Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, a Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. Patoranking became well-known in 2013 after the release of his hit single “Alubarika.” On the track, he collaborated with Timaya, a Nigerian artist.
Patoranking has numerous awards he’s picked up along the way (MtvBase, Channel O and Nigerian Music Awards to name a few), but right now he’s focused on world domination.
“I always wanted to build an audience for myself in Africa first. I feel like that’s been cemented and now the aim is global domination. I’m going worldwide,” he says. “I think the success of the music has largely been because of the subject matter. I sing about real things: everyday life, falling in love…that type of stuff. People always relate to that.”
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