Concerns over event preparedness disrupted the final day of the ongoing Music Central Fest in Lagos after one of its headline acts pulled out hours before his scheduled performance.
The two-day festival, which began on Friday, December 19, and concludes on Saturday, December 20, is taking place at Orange Island, Lekki, and features a lineup of prominent Nigerian music acts. However, expectations for the closing day shifted when Adekunle Gold announced that he would no longer be performing.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, the singer explained that the decision was due to the organisers’ failure to fulfil key obligations agreed upon ahead of the show. According to him, the state of the event environment would not allow him and his team to deliver the quality performance fans expect.
He acknowledged that many fans had made plans specifically to see him perform and expressed regret over the situation, thanking them for their continued support and understanding. He also advised fans to rely solely on his official platforms for accurate updates.
Shortly after the announcement, organisers of Music Central Fest posted a promotional flier for Day Two of the event on Instagram. Adekunle Gold’s name and image were noticeably missing from the lineup, effectively confirming his withdrawal from the festival.
Music Central Fest was billed to feature a mix of established and emerging artists, including Fola, Made Kuti, Fave and The Cavemen. Adekunle Gold had initially been promoted as one of the headline performers, making his absence a significant talking point among fans and attendees.
As of the time of filing this report, the festival organisers have not released an official statement addressing the singer’s claims or clarifying the specific issues that led to his decision.
The incident adds to a growing wave of scrutiny surrounding live music events in Nigeria, as fans and artists increasingly call for better organisation, safety standards and accountability. In recent weeks, several concerts have drawn criticism over crowd control issues and unmet expectations.
Just last week, singer Fola apologised to fans following safety concerns at his What a Feeling concert organised by Mainland Blockparty. Similarly, earlier on Saturday, BNXN (formerly Buju) issued an apology after fans complained of being denied entry to his concert despite having valid tickets. He attributed the problem to the organisers and refunded ₦250,000 to one affected fan.
Adekunle Gold’s withdrawal appears to reflect a broader push within the industry, where artists are taking firmer stands to ensure professionalism and protect both their audiences and their craft.