It was a thrilling experience as music lovers, dance enthusiasts, and cultural aficionados gathered to celebrate five years of continuous salsa and social dance activities by Dance & Art Alive under the leadership of renowned dance entrepreneur, performer, choreographer, and cultural advocate, Buddy Doubara Agedah in Abuja.

That night, Barracuda Resto Pub, Wuse 2, came alive on Saturday, June 6, 2026, as hundreds of dancers and entertainment professionals immersed themselves in hours of fun.

The event, themed ‘Still We Dey Dance,’ was organized by Buddy Doubara Agedahat, whose influence on Nigeria’s salsa movement spans more than two decades.

What was expected to be a festive anniversary gathering quickly became one of the largest salsa celebrations Abuja has witnessed in recent years. The venue reached full capacity early in the evening, leaving many guests standing throughout the programme, while others were unfortunately unable to gain entry due to space limitations.

Despite the crowd, attendees described the atmosphere as energetic, emotional, and inspiring.

“I have attended dance events in Abuja for years, but this was different,” said dance enthusiast Onyinye. “The turnout showed how far the community has come. People stood for hours and still didn’t want to leave because the performances and energy were worth it.”

Another attendee, Ricardo from Angola, noted that the event represented much more than just dancing.
“This is about community. Many of us met our closest friends through these dance platforms. Seeing everyone come together to celebrate five years was a powerful moment.”

One of the night’s most memorable moments came when Mr. Buddy took to the stage not only as a dancer but also as a recording artiste.

The audience erupted as he performed two of his Afro-Latin singles, Mr Buddy En La Salsa and Still We Dey Dance, blending Afrobeat influences with Latin rhythms that have become synonymous with his dance movement.

Guests sang along, danced, and recorded videos throughout the performances, creating one of the most talked-about highlights of the evening.

The songs are now available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other major streaming platforms worldwide.

Speaking after the performance, Mr. Buddy expressed gratitude to the dance community that has supported the journey.

“Five years ago, when we expanded our activities to Abuja, we believed the city had the potential to become a major salsa destination. Today, seeing this turnout confirms that the vision was right. This celebration belongs to everyone who has danced with us, supported us, and helped build this community.”

The evening also featured a special award presentation recognising Mr. Buddy’s longstanding contributions to dance and entertainment in Nigeria.

He and his company, Dance & Art Alive, received the Meritorious Service Award for Excellent and Innovative Growth and Impactful Leadership in the Development of Salsa in Nigeria.

Presenting the award, organisers praised his commitment to expanding dance culture, mentoring future leaders, and creating opportunities within the creative economy.

According to the citation, the award recognised his “visionary leadership, consistency, innovation, and dedication to building sustainable platforms that have transformed the salsa landscape in Nigeria.”

Mr. Buddy dedicated the award to the wider dance community.

“This recognition belongs to every instructor, performer, DJ, volunteer, student, and supporter who has contributed to this movement over the years. Together, we have shown that dance can create opportunities, improve lives, and bring people together across cultures.”

Industry stakeholders credit much of Abuja’s salsa growth to Mr. Buddy’s decision to extend his operations from Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory in 2021.

Since then, weekly classes, social dance events, festivals, workshops, corporate programmes, and public performances have helped transform salsa from a niche activity into a recognised part of Abuja’s entertainment and lifestyle culture.

For many observers, the growth seen today is the result of years of consistent investment in community building.

“Buddy didn’t just bring dance events to Abuja,” said business owner and event participant Matins. “He created a system that allows people to learn, grow, teach, perform, and even build businesses around dance.”

For more than 24 years, Mr. Buddy has remained one of the most recognised names in Nigeria’s social dance industry.

Widely acknowledged within the dance community as one of the earliest and most influential promoters of salsa and structured social dancing in Nigeria, he has played a significant role in introducing thousands of Nigerians to Latin dance culture.

His influence extends beyond the dance floor. Through mentorship and training programmes, he has helped develop numerous instructors who now operate successful dance businesses across different parts of the country.

Many of these businesses continue to create employment opportunities for young Nigerians while contributing to the growth of the entertainment and creative sectors.
His work has also provided residents of Abuja with regular recreational platforms focused on fitness, wellness, cultural exchange, and social connection.

As the celebration came to a close, guests remained on the dance floor late into the night, dancing to salsa, bachata, kizomba, konpa, and Afro-Latin rhythms that have become staples of Abuja’s social scene.

For many attendees, the anniversary was not simply a celebration of the past five years but also a glimpse into the future of a movement that continues to grow.

With a new chapter unfolding through original Afro-Latin music productions, expanded dance programmes, and growing community participation, observers believe Mr. Buddy’s influence on the Nigerian dance landscape is far from over.

As guests exited the packed venue, one phrase continued to echo through the room and across social media posts from the event ‘Still We Dey Dance.’