I have had a distant connection to the Ajegunle community because of my grandfather. He was born there, and having spent a large amount of time during his formative years, he had a lot of stories about that place which made it familiar even before I stepped foot into Lagos, and passed the same community in 2024.
I had known about AJEMA a year before, paying attention to it and in an interview with Richard Anichebe, popularly known as VJ Richyblaze, I understood the mission and vision behind AJEMA.
Founded in 2022, the award event was created to build community, celebrate local artists and project them to the global stage.
“As an entertainer, I’ve always longed for a platform that celebrates the entertainment industry of our beloved community,” he told me. “It didn’t exist. So we built it.”
In a country where the spotlight often skips over grassroots communities and heads straight for established stars, AJEGUNLE — ironically — has been a goldmine of Nigerian entertainment legends. From music to dance, acting to comedy, this community has produced some of the finest, but with little to no recognition at home. Until AJEMA stepped in.
The Spark That Lit the Flame
AJEMA wasn’t born out of luxury. It was born out of necessity — a gap, a silence, a longing that was too loud to ignore.
“Nobody believed it was possible… not until the day it happened,” Richyblaze said. “But we believed in it. We knew something like this had never happened in the history of AJEGUNLE.”
The first edition wasn’t just a show — it was a revolution. For the first time, the streets of AJEGUNLE buzzed with something other than struggle. It buzzed with pride. AJEMA, once just an acronym, became a symbol. Mention it anywhere in AJEGUNLE today, and you’ll see faces light up. That’s not branding — that’s belonging.
Building from the Bottom Up
What makes AJEMA truly groundbreaking isn’t the glitz or the glam — it’s the deliberate focus on the grassroots.
“Everyone focuses on the already made,” Richyblaze said, “but we’re interested in the upcoming. We’re building from the bottom — giving the young talents a platform to rise.”
One powerful example is Speraw De Great, once a street dancer in AJEGUNLE. After winning Male Dancer of the Year at AJEMA, he was handpicked to join Asake on a global tour. From corner battles to international stages, that’s the kind of ripple effect AJEMA is now known for.
And yet, the awards remain community-funded. No corporate sponsors. No brand partnerships — yet. Just sweat, sacrifice, and soul.
The Power of Recognition
One of the most moving parts of our conversation was Richard recalling the second edition of AJEMA — the most difficult one to plan.
“As I walked on stage to give my Convener’s speech, I saw every major Ajegunle entertainment figurehead in one room — all at once. That had never happened before. I broke down in tears. That moment meant everything.”
Since then, AJEMA has become more than an award ceremony. It’s a cultural compass. A gatekeeper. A reminder that people are watching, appreciating, and rewarding the effort entertainers put in.
“It’s like a police force now,” he chuckled. “People work harder because they know AJEMA sees them. We reward consistency.”
Even legendary actress Ruth Kadiri, who grew up in AJEGUNLE, weighed in:
“Never did I imagine that there would ever be something so unique to the Ajegunle community. I love it and I am proud of the great change AJEMA has brought.”
Crafting a Legacy, One Upgrade at a Time
Each edition of AJEMA brings something new — tighter production, a better stage, smoother nomination processes. There’s a screening system after nominations, ensuring fairness, credibility, and celebration based on merit.
“Every year we upgrade something. It’s our way of telling the world that AJEGUNLE can be known for excellence too.”
The impact isn’t just felt in production or prestige — it’s in how connected fans have become to their favorite creatives, how much unity now exists in a once fragmented community, and how AJEGUNLE is slowly rebranding itself from the inside out.
What the Future Holds
When I asked Richyblaze what AJEMA would look like in 5 to 10 years, his answer came without hesitation: “The biggest entertainment hub in Africa.”
He said it without blinking. Not out of arrogance, but from conviction. The fifth edition, he revealed, will serve as a landmark anniversary — and for the first time, they plan to seek official partnerships and sponsorships, also investing into advocacy and corporate social responsibilities.
They also advocate for a community auditorium in AJEGUNLE — a space to call their own. A home for creativity, collaboration, and cultural celebration.
More Than An Award Show
More than anything, AJEMA is about belonging. It gives AJEGUNLE a reason to gather, celebrate, and remember that they are more than the headlines, more than the stereotypes.
“Our people love hard. They just needed a platform to express it,” Richyblaze said.
And that’s exactly what AJEMA is: a platform that gives voice to a people who have always had something to say — and now, finally, a stage to say it on.
