Nigerian creative sector seeks stronger investment and collaboration for economic growth

This call emerged from the second QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit in Lagos, where industry leaders and policymakers discussed investment, innovation, and expansion opportunities. Demola Aladekomo, Founder of Chams Holdco and chairman of the event, suggested that with adequate funding and structure, Nigeria's creative economy could rival the oil sector. He emphasized that Nigerian music, Nollywood films, and fashion already project Nigerian stories globally, highlighting that the world willingly consumes Nigerian creativity.

Aladekomo stressed the need to move beyond content creation to deliberately building a creative economy supported by infrastructure, capital, intellectual property protection, and skills development. He also called for creative professionals to be recognized as entrepreneurs and exporters. Ife Adebayo, National Coordinator of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme at the Bank of Industry, discussed the dual nature of artificial intelligence, presenting both risks and opportunities for the sector.

While acknowledging concerns about AI potentially flattening Nigerian voices and displacing jobs, Adebayo noted its potential to expand the reach and capabilities of creatives, citing examples of young Nigerians using