According to the organisers, the festival will bring together a wide spectrum of sounds and creative expressions, featuring established stars and fast-rising acts across Afrobeats, alternative, gospel, rap, soul and highlife. Leading the lineup are BlaqBonez, Brymo and gospel powerhouse Yinka Alaseyori, alongside several other notable performers.
Naija rap and alternative music lovers can look forward to performances by Show Dem Camp, J’Dess and Mich Straaw, while Afro-soul and R&B influences are expected to add depth to the overall experience. The Afrobeats segment will be driven by emerging talents such as Mavo, Llona, Tar1q and Morravey, all tipped to energise the crowd with contemporary hits.
Alternative and indigenous sounds will also take centre stage, with Brymo and Johnny Drille billed to deliver reflective and genre-bending performances. In addition, veteran band The Cavemen are expected to thrill audiences with their signature highlife rhythms, offering a nostalgic yet refreshing musical experience.
The organisers noted that the festival has been curated with a global audience in mind, ensuring that members of the Nigerian diaspora are well represented. Acts such as Oshamo and Keys The Prince will cater specifically to this audience, adding an international flavour to the event.
One of the major attractions of the festival will be the much-anticipated “Shakara After Dark” series, a late-night party experience designed to keep the energy alive long after daytime performances. On December 20, popular nightlife brand Obi’s House will take over the late-night stage, with a lineup of top-tier DJs, including DJ Shawn and Bonamax, promising an intense rave atmosphere.
Speaking on the vision behind the festival, Shakara Festival CEO, Godson Oriaku, described it as more than just a music event. He explained that the festival is structured around four major zones aimed at delivering a holistic cultural experience.
“Shakara Festival is a comprehensive cultural experience built around four key zones,” Oriaku said. “These include Shakara Junction, our marketplace for culture and commerce; Shakara Series, which hosts conversations and panels on the music industry and creative economy; Shakara Games Village for competitive and casual gaming; and Shakara After Dark, our premier late-night party experience.”
The festival will reach its climax on Sunday, December 21, with Shakara Gospel Day, a dedicated celebration of gospel music and worship. The final day will feature performances by Gbenga Akinfenwa, SMJ, Yinka Alaseyori, Bidemi Olaoba, Sinach, Kingdom, Magpsalms, Ada Ehi, Gerald Bishung and several other gospel ministers.
With its diverse programming and beachfront setting, the 2025 Shakara Festival is expected to attract music lovers, creatives and culture enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond, rounding off the year with four days of sound, spirit and celebration.