Proposed 10,000 capacity tourism venue in UAE will position Nigeria at global cultural exchange

A major new cultural and music venue celebrating African and particularly Nigerian creativity is being developed in the UAE. The 10,000-capacity destination aims to showcase the continent’s talent across music, art, food, and design, positioning Nigeria at the heart of global cultural exchange.The project, part of the Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere initiative, is being developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy. Discussions are also underway with UAE government entities and private-sector partners to bring the project to life.Beyond the main performance arena, the development will feature an exhibition hall, a Nigerian culinary zone, a retail gallery for African design, and a multidisciplinary artisan academy to nurture emerging creatives across fashion, food, music, and storytelling.Architect Seun Oduwole of Living Object, celebrated for the award-winning JK Randle Centre in Lagos, is leading the design, which aims to blend cultural symbolism with cutting-edge modernity.Boye Balogun, CEO of Futuretech Media and Director of Nigeria Everywhere, described the project as a cultural bridge between Africa and the Middle East.“This venue represents more than just architecture – it’s a cultural bridge between Africa and the Middle East,” he said. “Nigeria has become a global creative powerhouse, and the UAE has emerged as a leader in cultural innovation. This space will host everything from intimate exhibitions to large-scale headline performances – where legends and emerging voices perform side by side. It’s powered by Nigeria, but for Africa.”The project reinforces Nigeria’s ambition to become a global hub for arts, culture, and creativity, while deepening cross-regional collaboration and tourism through shared cultural storytelling.