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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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.