Culture

Nigeria Creative Economy Empowerment Boosted by New MoU

Published

11 months ago

October 25, 2025

Nigeria creative economy empowerment gains momentum as ministry partners with Lens for Good to mentor, train, and globalise local talent

Nigeria creative economy empowerment received a major boost as the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lens for Good, a leading storytelling and mentorship initiative.

Also read: Alaafin of Oyo Debunks Chief Imam Appointment Rumours

The agreement, signed in Abuja, aims to provide Nigerian creatives with practical skills, mentorship opportunities, and access to global networks, enabling them to transform their talents into sustainable careers.

The partnership will focus on digital storytelling, filmmaking, photography, and creative entrepreneurship, rolling out in stages across all six geopolitical zones, starting with pilot workshops in Imo State before year-end.

Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa highlighted that the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing youth empowerment, job creation, and economic diversification through the creative sector.

She noted that the programme will help reshape how Nigeria tells its stories to the world, promoting cultural representation and local content creation as tools of national identity and soft power.

Through Lens for Good, participants will gain access to mentorship programmes, digital production tools, and storytelling workshops designed to enhance both technical and business skills.

The initiative is set to help young Nigerians turn their creative passions into viable and exportable ventures.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the MoU, describing it as a positive step toward formalising Nigeria’s creative economy.

They believe government-backed collaborations will create structure, boost investor confidence, and open new international opportunities for local artists, filmmakers, and digital storytellers.

As Nigeria continues to position its creative industry as a key driver of growth, this partnership represents a significant milestone in empowering young creatives and showcasing Nigerian talent on a global stage.

Up Next

Ooni, Alaafin Reconciliation Strengthens Yoruba Unity

Don't Miss

Gani Adams Urges Tax Waiver for Cultural Investment

Click to comment

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.”