Events

British Council Launches Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025

Published

1 year ago

September 12, 2025

British Council launches Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025, a six-city celebration showcasing arts, youth empowerment, and global collaboration

The event, which began today in Abuja, will span Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, and London, drawing together artists, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, investors, policymakers, and international partners.

Also read: Unveiling Nigeria’s hidden treasures: Tale of British-trained Photographer

Designed as a platform to showcase Nigeria’s creative potential, it also highlights the role of arts and culture in driving inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and global exchange.

Now in its second edition, Creative Economy Week builds on a successful 2023 pilot that inspired similar programmes in Uganda, Ghana, and Zimbabwe.

This year’s edition is being delivered under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the British Council and the Ministry, aimed at scaling opportunities for youth, women, and Nigeria’s fast-growing creative industries.

The programme features cultural showcases, professional training, and policy dialogues, including high-level discussions with government and UK leaders, masterclasses across film, music, photography, fashion, and entrepreneurship, and major Lagos conferences on women in film, creative technology, investment, and legal frameworks for industry growth.

Representing Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Permanent Secretary of FMACTCE, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to become a global cultural hub.

“Creative Economy Week is more than an event—it is a demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership in arts, culture, tourism, and innovation. Guided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, this partnership with the British Council strengthens our drive to empower young Nigerians, amplify women’s voices, attract investment, and position Nigeria as a global hub for creativity,” he stated.

British Council Country Director for Nigeria and West Africa Cluster Lead, Donna McGowan, emphasized the importance of youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.

“For the British Council, youth employability and entrepreneurship are central to building sustainable growth.

The creative economy is at the heart of this mission, and this collaboration reflects our shared commitment to creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering inclusive development,” she said.

Also read: Nigeria National Digital Museum Marks Historic Success

Running from September 11 to 21, 2025, across five Nigerian cities, the celebration will conclude in London on October 11, 2025, spotlighting diaspora voices and strengthening cross-border collaborations to further embed Nigeria within the global creative economy.

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Rechael Okonkwo’s Carnival Brings Free Healthcare to 5,000 Residents

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Rechael Okonkwo’s carnival provided free healthcare to over 5,000 Nsukka residents, alongside support for widows and children (more…)

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

3 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”