Culture

FCMB Boosts Economic Growth Through Cultural Festival Push

Published

5 months ago

April 15, 2026

FCMB Cultural Festival Economic Growth strategy highlights how the bank uses Ibadan festival to empower SMEs, boost trade, and support inclusion

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to positioning culture as a driver of economic growth, leveraging the Ibadan Cultural Festival to support small businesses, deepen financial inclusion, and expand market access for local enterprises.

Also read: FCMB Group boss hails Ojude Oba festival economic value

FCMB’s Divisional Head of Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, made the remarks during a press conference in Ibadan, where he outlined the bank’s strategy of using cultural platforms as commercial ecosystems that generate measurable economic activity.

FCMB Culture-Led Economic Growth initiative is being advanced through the bank’s partnership with the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), which organises the annual Ibadan Cultural Festival, also known as Okebadan.

Olojo said the bank views cultural events not merely as celebrations, but as structured marketplaces where demand, talent, and enterprise converge to create real business opportunities.

“We see culture as a functioning marketplace. Events like this concentrate demand, talent, and enterprise in one place,” he said, noting that FCMB’s role is to support businesses with access to finance, visibility, and efficient transaction systems.

He explained that the festival generates ripple effects across hospitality, retail, transport, and creative industries, while also attracting diaspora participation that strengthens remittance inflows and local investment.

The Ibadan Cultural Festival draws thousands of residents, indigenes, and visitors annually, transforming the city into a hub of commercial and cultural exchange.

President-General of CCII, Barrister Ajeniyi Ajewole, described the festival as both a cultural heritage celebration and an economic catalyst, noting its growing importance in tourism development and diaspora engagement.

He said FCMB’s participation reflects increasing private sector confidence in culture-driven economic models that support local growth and community development.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mogaji Gbolagade Akere, added that the 2026 edition has been designed to strengthen Ibadan’s positioning as a tourism and investment destination through integrated cultural and economic activities.

FCMB reiterated that its broader strategy is to build ecosystems that connect informal and small-scale businesses to structured finance, wider markets, and sustainable growth opportunities.

Also read: When Ijebu-Ode stood still for Ojude Oba festival

The bank described cultural platforms as increasingly vital to unlocking grassroots economic potential and strengthening Nigeria’s creative and enterprise sectors.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 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.”