Culture

Nigeria’s federal executive council approves initiatives to boost cultural sector, global image

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2025

Nigeria’s cultural sector, Creative Leap Acceleration Programme, Destination 2030

The Federal Executive Council has approved initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s cultural sector and reshape the country’s global image

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved two major initiatives led by the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to enhance Nigeria’s cultural sector and improve its global reputation.

The announcements were made by Minister Hannatu Musawa on Tuesday following the 23rd FEC meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

One of the key initiatives is the **Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP)**, a digital platform designed as a one-stop shop for creatives across 49 sub-sectors in Nigeria.

Developed through a public-private partnership, CLAP aims to offer training, funding, and networking opportunities to artists, regardless of their location.

The programme seeks to equip artists and innovators with the tools and resources necessary to excel in their crafts, ensuring they have the support to develop into top-tier talents in music, film, and other creative industries.

Musawa emphasized the platform’s commitment to levelling the playing field for all creators in Nigeria, from emerging talents to seasoned professionals.

“This is a capacity and developmental initiative to ensure creators across Nigeria have access to training, funding, and networks,” Musawa stated, highlighting CLAP’s role in nurturing the next generation of iconic figures like Davido, Burna Boy, and Nollywood stars.

The second initiative, **Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere**, is aimed at using soft power and tourism to transform Nigeria’s global image.

The initiative seeks to highlight the nation’s cultural, artistic, and creative strengths, ranging from historical artifacts like Benin bronzes to contemporary cultural exports such as Afrobeat music and Nollywood films.

As part of the campaign, a seven-part short series titled *Nigeria Everywhere* has been produced. The first two episodes, *“I Am Nigerian”* and *“Letter to My Younger Self”*, have been filmed, with further episodes focusing on national identity, historical legacies, and leadership.

The series aims to position Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage as a key economic driver and a tool of national soft power.

Minister Musawa explained the overarching objective: “This cultural and tourism brand seeks to transform Nigeria’s artistic, cultural, creative, and tourism assets into huge economic drivers. It will also serve as a tool for changing the global narrative about Nigeria.”

Through the **Destination 2030** initiative, Nigeria hopes to shift perceptions by showcasing its unique cultural identity, offering a fresh perspective on the country beyond its oil reserves.

Musawa also underscored the importance of national pride, encouraging citizens to take ownership of their role in shaping Nigeria’s future and its global standing.

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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.”