Ayeni Adekunle, convener of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), has revealed that he is in discussions with American music executive Mathew Knowles, father of global superstar Beyoncé, about a potential partnership that could expand creative collaborations between Africa and the United States.
Ayeni disclosed this during a welcome conversation with journalist Lamide Akintobi at NECLive 2025 held on Friday at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.
He said, “I was sharing three days ago that, we’ve been speaking with Mr Matthew Knowles, Beyonce’s dad, who is interested in hosting workshops in Los Angeles and in Lagos and so on. I hope that that gets the time out, and we get to actually do that.”
The talks align with NECLive’s long-term mission to connect African creatives with influential global entertainment leaders, fostering cross-border knowledge exchange and industry growth.
Mathew Knowles is a respected music executive, entrepreneur and talent manager renowned for managing Destiny’s Child and helping launch the solo careers of Beyoncé and Solange. He is also the founder of Music World Entertainment and a lecturer who teaches entertainment business, leadership and global branding.
NECLive, founded in 2013, has grown into West Africa’s leading creative-industry conference.
The 2025 edition, themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise,” is expected to feature masterclasses, panel discussions and networking sessions. A collaboration with Knowles could introduce workshops in both Lagos and Los Angeles, creating wider opportunities for African creatives.
If finalised, the partnership is expected to further solidify Nigeria’s influence in the global entertainment industry and enhance international exposure for local talent.
