…West Africa’s premier entertainment conference to hold at Landmark in Lagos, plus other international venues to be announced.

BHM and ID Africa, organisers of NECLive, West Africa’s largest annual gathering of creative industry professionals, have announced the return of the flagship conference for 28-30 November 2025. The newly introduced multi-venue global format of the 13 year-old conference will convene under the theme ‘Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise’ at the prestigious Landmark Centre in Lagos.

Since its inception in 2013, NECLive has served as the premier platform for discussions, networking, innovation showcase and policy advocacy within Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries. Over 9 editions, the conference has hosted more than 500 industry experts as speakers and panellists, attracted over 100,000 participants, and reached an audience exceeding 100 million people across 50+ countries. The conference has facilitated over 1,000 deals and partnerships whilst maintaining its core mission of building sustainable pathways for the entertainment industry to thrive.

Nigeria’s creative economy has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with Nollywood becoming the world’s second-largest film industry by volume and Afrobeats achieving global mainstream success. Recent wins include Nigerian artistes selling out major international arenas, Grammy recognition for Afrobeats stars, and the viral reach of African content creators across digital platforms. The sector now contributes approximately 2.3% to Nigeria’s GDP, worth over $4.2 billion annually.

However, significant challenges persist. Infrastructure deficits, limited access to funding, inadequate intellectual property protection, and weak distribution networks continue to constrain growth potential and industry sustainability. The creative sector faces increasing competition from international markets whilst struggling with brain drain as talent migrates to markets with better opportunities and support systems.

Despite these challenges, the opportunities for global impact remain immense. Africa’s creative industries have the potential to capture a significantly larger share of the global creative economy, currently worth $2.25 trillion. With strategic investment in infrastructure, technology adoption, and policy reforms, Nigerian creatives could leverage the continent’s rich cultural heritage and growing youth population to build sustainable enterprises that power broader economic development.

The 2025 edition of NECLive will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and performers from across Africa and the global diaspora, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, corporate brands and emerging talent. The conference aims to showcase successful models of creative enterprise whilst providing practical solutions for scaling African creative businesses globally.

After more than a decade of facilitating crucial conversations within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, we’re witnessing an unprecedented moment where our creative talents are gaining global recognition and commercial success, said Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and Convener of NECLive. However, we must now focus on building the infrastructure, appropriate policies, and business frameworks that will ensure this momentum translates into sustainable economic power for our nation. This year’s NECLive theme reflects our commitment to demonstrating how creative enterprise can be a genuine driver of Nigeria and Africa’s economic transformation.

NECLive 2025 invites prospective sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, partners, and volunteers to join this important conversation about Nigeria’s creative future. The conference offers unique opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing and business development within Africa’s most dynamic creative ecosystem.

Interested parties are encouraged to visit www.nec.ng to indicate their interest, explore partnership opportunities, or learn more about participation in NECLive.

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Born in New Zealand to an Australian bikini model mother and a New Zealand singer father of Māori descent, Bennett moved to Australia as an infant and later built his career across both countries and internationally.

Jonathan Manu Bennett (born October 10, 1969) is an Australian-New Zealand actor primarily known for portraying characters in epic fantasy works, such as Crixus in the TV series Spartacus, Allanon in The Shannara Chronicles, Slade Wilson / Deathstroke in Arrow, and Azog the Defiler in The Hobbit trilogy. 

His breakout role as Crixus in Spartacus brought him international recognition, with his battle cry “Shall We Begin!” first bringing Manu Bennett’s voice & acting career to international attention.

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Manu Bennett’s Major Television Roles

Spartacus Franchise (2010-2013)

Genre: History/war
No of seasons/episodes: 3 seasons, 39 episodes, and a prequel mini-series,
Where to Watch: Netflix

Bennett’s most acclaimed television work came in the Spartacus series, where he portrayed Crixus, a Gallic gladiator who becomes a key figure in the slave rebellion. His performance spanned multiple seasons and spin-offs:

• Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010) – Regular cast member

• Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011) – Prequel miniseries

• Spartacus: Vengeance (2012) – Regular cast member

• Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013) – Regular cast member

Bennett’s role was particularly crucial during the series’ transition period. When the show lost lead actor Andy Whitfield to cancer, Bennett’s pivotal role, transitioning from Spartacus’ nemesis to a slave rebel leader, was credited for maintaining the show’s momentum and quality.

ALSO READ: Christopher Nolan unveils first official poster for epic film ‘The Odyssey’

Arrow (2013-2019)

Genre: Superhero
No of Season/episodes: 8 Seasons, 170 episodes
Where to Watch: Prime Video

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Bennett joined The CW’s superhero series Arrow as Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke. 

The CW’s Green Arrow-inspired drama “Arrow” has found its Slade Wilson, casting “Spartacus” actor Manu Bennett as the man under the mask of Deathstroke the Terminator. 

His portrayal of the complex character spanned multiple seasons, featuring both as an ally and antagonist to Oliver Queen.

Bennett’s performance style in Arrow differed significantly from his Spartacus work. Everything Crixus was doing was arms out, spread giant sweeps, swipes with his sword. Spartacus was kind of like playing classical music, and Arrow is more like pop music.

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The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)

Genre: Action/Fantasy
No of seasons/episodes: 2 seasons, 20 episodes
Where to watch: Prime Video

Bennett starred as Allanon, a druid warrior, in MTV’s fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles, based on Terry Brooks’ novels. 

This role further cemented his reputation as a go-to actor for fantasy television.

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Other Notable TV Work

• Paradise Beach – Australian soap opera (early career)

• The Summit – CBS competition series (host/narrator role)

• Shortland Street – New Zealand medical drama (guest appearances)

Film Career

The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Genre: Fantasy
Running time: 2h 49m
Where to watch: Prime Video

Bennett’s most high-profile film work was his motion-capture performance as Azog the Defiler in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy:

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

• The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (2014)

As the primary antagonist orc, Bennett brought physicality and menace to the CGI character through motion capture technology, working closely with WETA Digital to create the imposing villain.

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She’s gone from inspiring characters in over 350 films to shaping the industry behind the scenes. Rita has emerged as a trailblazer. Let’s take a deep dive into her life, her craft, and the versatility that sets her apart.

A Glimpse into Rita’s Beginnings and Legacy

Born July 12, 1975, in Mbaise, Imo State, into a distinguished family (her father was a doctor, her mother a nurse), Rita Dominic blossomed early into performance. 

With theatre arts studied at the University of Port Harcourt (class of 1999), she dove into Nollywood full-force after her debut in 1998’s A Time to Kill.

Dubbed a “silver screen icon” by CNN, she has earned numerous accolades, from the AMVCA (in both drama and comedy) to Kenya’s Kalasha Award. 

Beyond acting, Rita co-founded The Audrey Silva Company (TASC) with Mildred Okwo, producing hits like The Meeting and working on Nigeria’s famed Miss Nigeria pageant.

ALSO READ: Rita Dominic opens up on how she handled ‘snide comments’ for being unmarried

’76 (2016) 

Role: Suzie Dewa, a pregnant army wife caught in a storm of political intrigue.

Set six years after Nigeria’s civil war, ’76 traces the harrowing ordeal of Captain Joseph Dewa (Ramsey Nouah), falsely accused of involvement in the failed 1976 coup. 

Rita Dominic’s Suzie embodies emotional resilience. She’s gentle yet resolute as she fights to prove her husband’s innocence and protect their unborn child.

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Her performance earned widespread acclaim, including the AMVCA Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series). 

Critics praised her nuanced portrayal of a woman under strain, small gestures like a quivering hand or a steely glare spoke louder than words. Kemi Filani News described her turn as “refreshing… bringing the plight of a soldier’s wife to life on screen.”

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The Meeting (2012)

Role: Clara Ikemba, the formidable gatekeeper in Abuja’s bureaucracy.

In this award-winning (AMAA & Audience Choice in Paris) romantic comedy, Rita stars opposite Femi Jacobs, playing a no‑nonsense receptionist whose brash exterior conceals vulnerability. 

Damian Okwo’s script uses Clara to spotlight bureaucracy, but Rita’s performance elevates it: she’s prickly, sarcastic, and unexpectedly human.

Her demand for bribes, comic dominance, and begrudging soft spots turn Clara into one of Nollywood’s most iconic comedic characters.

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Light in the Dark (2019)

Role: Jumoke, a survivor navigating trauma and hope.

In this intense drama/thriller, Rita stars as Jumoke, a married mother of one attacked during a break-in . 

The film explores the horrifying aftermath of gender violence and its impact on family dynamics.

With little dialogue, Rita conveys suffering, stoicism, and the fragile rebuilding of trust; she anchors the film’s emotional core.

Critics applauded how her intimate, understated performance elevated the broader narrative into a moving portrait of survival.

The Trade (2023) 

Role: Doris, a sharp, determined enforcement officer.

In Jade Osiberu’s crime thriller, Rita plays Doris, a tactful but fierce character operating within Nigeria’s gritty criminal landscape. 

As a wife, mother, and law enforcer, Doris is moral and multifaceted. Rita’s measured portrayal balances empathy and authority, keeping viewers guessing about loyalties and drive.

Her presence lends gravitas, showing how seamlessly she adapts to genre shifts, from historical drama to urban crime.

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Shattered (2011)