Spenz on a Mission: Building Abeokuta’s Entertainment Empire from the Ground Up
Every city has its quiet revolutions. Those subtle shifts that don’t announce but change everything all the same. In Abeokuta, the city of many cultural centres, Coozy Productions and Extravaganza has become one of those shifts reimagining what entertainment can feel like when it is rooted in community, youth, and cultural pride.
At the centre of this reimagination is Ibrahim Sodiq Adekunle, better known as Spenz whose passion for creating immersive, inclusive experiences has quickly turned him from a familiar face on the scene to a cultural instigator. Under his guidance, Coozy is stitching together a movement of young people who now see their city as a place where moments can matter, and where memory can be shaped with lights, sound, and spirit.
In this intimate conversation we had via Zoom, Spenz reflects on how it all began, the backbone of teamwork, why Abeokuta’s time in the spotlight is long overdue and why Coozy isn’t just throwing parties but also preaching a gospel of culture, joy, and community.
Let’s start from the beginning. What was the first spark that made you believe Abeokuta needed a brand like Coozy Productions and Extravaganza?
Honestly, it started from a personal place. Around December 2023, I was just looking for somewhere to go for the holidays. I realised there were barely any parties or events happening in Abeokuta, unlike in Lagos where the vibe is endless. That absence made people think our city was boring. So I told myself, next year, we’re going to change that. We’re going to give people something to remember.
CoozyFest 1.0 pulled over 1,500 people—a landmark moment. What did pulling that off in Abeokuta teach you about the city and its people?
It taught me that nothing is impossible. Before then, no one had ever pulled those kinds of numbers in Abeokuta. People thought it was luck, maybe just a one-off. But then we did CoozyRave, and the crowd was even bigger. That’s when people realised this is real. This is something different.
There’s a strong sense of community running through all your events. Was that always the plan, or did it grow with time?
It’s always been the plan. Coozy is not just about hosting events, we’re building the biggest community gathering in Abeokuta and Ogun State. That’s the vision. That’s what we’re intentional about. We want people to feel like they belong here, that these moments are theirs too.
The team behind Coozy seems like a tight-knit family. What does collaboration look like behind the scenes?
Our team is incredible. The dedication and energy are unmatched. I have to give a big shoutout to some key people: Lawal Ibrahim, aka Lawy; Soliudeen Mukthar, aka MFTT; Thomas Lawrence; Benson; and Shoneye Ibrahim, aka DTG. These guys are pillars. Everyone plays their role, and that synergy is what makes the vision come alive.
You’ve gone from CoozyFest to CoozyRave, and now Coozy Market is in the works. How do you decide when to launch something new?
We’re very intentional, and a lot of things go into our decision-making. It’s not just vibes. We think about the audience, the timing, the need. Coozy Market, for instance, is still in the works, but by the next quarter, people should expect something exciting. It’s going to spotlight local vendors and creatives in a way Abeokuta hasn’t seen before.
What’s been your biggest challenge so far, and how have you grown through it?
At the beginning, the hardest part was helping people understand what kind of events we were bringing to the city. We had to explain it again and again. But now, the experience speaks for itself. People get it. They’re not just coming, they’re coozy with it.
You’ve talked about building consistent content for platforms like Instagram and YouTube. What can we expect from that front?
We’re working hard on that. Expect more content on Instagram, TikTok, and our YouTube channel. We want people to relive these events even after they’re over. Right now, we’re putting together a special DJ Consequence segment for YouTube, and that’s just the beginning.
When you think about Coozy five years from now, what do you see? What’s the dream?
To be honest, we might have already done our UK and US tours by then. Maybe we’re in China or across Asia, holding iconic events. The dream is big because Coozy isn’t just a brand, it’s a gospel. And that gospel? It must reach everywhere.