After 11 Years in Music, Neken Chuwang Is Raising Funds to Build a Studio for Plateau Artists

After 11 Years in Music, Neken Chuwang Is Raising Funds to Build a Studio for Plateau Artists

Nigerian artist Neken Chuwang celebrates 11 years in music with a fundraiser to build a studio supporting young, underprivileged musicians in Plateau State.

I watched people walk not just to celebrate music but to witness what happens when art carries a deeper sense of mission. It was Sunday, Oct. 5, and the occasion was the 11th music anniversary of Neken Chuwang, the multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and composer who has, for more than a decade, been the heartbeat of inspirational music in Plateau State and beyond. 

But this wasn’t just another milestone concert—it was a call to action, a fundraiser with a dream: building a live audio and video studio for underprivileged artists in Jos, the state capital. 

I remember walking into the venue with an unusual blend of anticipation and curiosity. Concerts and festivals in Jos often promise joy, but this one seemed poised to deliver something layered—celebration with a cause. From the very start, you could feel the intimacy of the night. Families, young dreamers, fellow musicians, and community leaders had turned up. It was as if the city itself wanted to bear witness to the story of one man’s music and mission.

A Journey of 11 Years in Music

When Neken stepped on stage, the applause was not just recognition of his artistry; it was gratitude for his consistency—a constant statement that was said across people who attended the event. Eleven years is a long time in music, especially in an ecosystem where resources are scarce and platforms are few. His setlist for the evening carried a deliberate arc—songs that charted his journey from hopeful beginnings to his present stature as one of Jos’s most respected voices.

There were moments when he performed fan favourites that had the crowd singing along word-for-word, and then there were newer songs, experimental yet rooted in the themes of hope, faith, and resilience. Between performances, he paused to share anecdotes—snippets of the battles, the doubts, the unlikely wins.

When I asked him what the anniversary meant to him, he mentioned that it was a moment of reflection and gratitude. 

“It’s a moment of reflection and gratitude for me. Reflection of all the little and great things that have moulded me and my music into what it is today, also reflections about the people who have been instrumental to my journey in diverse ways. Then there’s gratitude for how God kept me over the years, how he guided me in the right direction and gave me purpose even through music”, he said. 

It was raw, sincere, and set the perfect tone for the night’s larger purpose.

The Fundraiser: A Studio for the Future

The highlight of the evening wasn’t just the music but the unveiling of Neken’s simple yet ambitious project: the establishment of a live audio and video studio dedicated to giving underprivileged artists in Jos a chance.

Neken’s story is not just about longevity; it’s about how he began with almost nothing and turned determination into a decade-long career that still inspires. Starting in Jos with limited resources, he relied on the goodwill and partnership of producers and videographers who believed in his gift enough to work for free or at a reduced cost. Over the years, he transformed those early breaks into a catalogue of award-winning songs that have become anthems of hope and faith. That’s why this fundraiser carries weight—because it isn’t theory for him; he has lived through the struggles of access and knows what it means to be given a chance.

Even without a studio of his own, Neken has quietly invested in others, mentoring young artists like Nerat, also known as S.O.N Music—his younger brother, whose growth as a performer and songwriter is often traced back to Neken’s guidance. If such an impact could be achieved informally, one can only imagine the ripple effect of an equipped audio-visual studio in Jos. It would not only amplify raw talent but also multiply stories like Nerat’s—proof that with structure and opportunity, the next generation of artists can find their voice sooner rather than later.

When I pressed further on the vision, his voice took on a kind of burdened clarity

“The Live Audio-Visual studio project is one born out of the reflections of my journey; the challenges I faced and the many people God used to bring me here. There are producers over the years who God used to produce songs for me for free, same for videographers, and all these were significant to my growth and progress as a musician”, he said. 

“The burden from seeing other very talented and serious musicians without opportunities like the ones I got informed the yearning in my heart to put together something that will give such people a chance for the world to hear God’s deposits upon their lives.

This will be done by searching for serious and talented musicians who are limited by funds to produce standard music and video, then we shoulder the cost of producing a song and video, we also impart knowledge on the selected musician and then push them to the world to excel”, he added. 

It wasn’t hard to understand why this was needed. Jos has long been a cradle of Nigerian talent—home to legends and contemporary hitmakers alike. Yet, beneath the success stories are countless others who never make it past their first demo, who are silenced not by lack of creativity but by lack of opportunity.

During the fundraiser segment, pledges were made, and you could sense the room tilt toward generosity. Business leaders, clergy, friends, and fans—everyone seemed eager to be part of something that transcended entertainment.

Jonathan Pam Focus, one of the guest artists, said, “If this studio happens, maybe next year it’ll be us on that stage.” It struck me as more than a throwaway comment; it was the essence of what Neken was fighting for.

What’s Next for Neken?

As the evening drew on, it became clear that the 11th anniversary wasn’t just a look back, but a springboard forward. I asked Neken what the future holds for him. His answer was firm yet hopeful:

“There is so much ahead. Firstly, God has prompted in my heart the need to be more intentional in mentorship. Unknown to many, the right mentorship is one of the fastest roads to achieving genuine success, and the lack of it seems to be the reason why many have not been able to make significant progress.

So, more than producing songs and videos for the qualified musicians, we will be sharing knowledge and etiquette from experienced individuals to arm the artist with the necessary skills and techniques to thrive in the music scene and the world at large.

Aside from that, there’s more music—like a song I have coming up with my brother Kaestrings. So I would tell anyone reading this to anticipate new music any moment from now, and they can get updates on my website.”

It was a reminder that while the anniversary marked 11 years of music, it was also the opening chapter of a bigger vision.

What It Means for Jos and Its Creative Ecosystem

What struck me most as the night drew to a close was the realisation that events like this are more than concerts; they are cultural interventions. Jos has always had the talent, but the infrastructure has lagged. For an artist of Neken Chuwang’s stature to turn his anniversary into a platform for systemic change is significant. It signals a shift from individual success stories to collective empowerment.

The proposed studio isn’t just about recording music; it’s about building community, giving voice to the voiceless, and democratizing access to creativity. In a city where young people often struggle with unemployment, social vices, and a lack of safe spaces, such a project could become a hub for innovation and hope.

Samuel Okposio, the chairman of the fundraising committee, said, “What Neken is doing tonight is planting a seed. Ten years from now, we’ll look back and say this was the night Jos began to take its rightful place in the global music conversation.”

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A Night to Remember

When the final song ended and the crowd gave its standing ovation, I realised that what I had witnessed was more than an anniversary—it was history in the making. The celebration of 11 years became the launching pad for the next chapter, not just for Neken but for an entire generation of creatives in Jos.

Walking out of the venue into the cool night air, I thought about the boy who whispered to his friend about being on stage next year. Perhaps that’s the real story here: the hope that the next Neken Chuwang won’t have to wait 11 years to be heard.