Nigeria’s creative sector gets boost from UK partnership

L-R, Head of Arts Nigeria, Harry Keseina; Programme Director, British Council, Chikodi Onyemerela; Regional Arts Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council, Farai Ncube; Country Director, British Council Nigeria, Donna McGowan; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE), Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, MFR; and Director of Creative Economy (FMACTCE), Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu at the Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025 Press Conference, held at British Council, Abuja.

In a vibrant celebration of innovation, skills, and collaboration, the British Council and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE) have partnered to present Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025.

The landmark six-city event, themed “Building Futures through Creativity,” will bring together artists, creative entrepreneurs, cultural hubs, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and international partners to showcase the power of creativity and culture as catalysts for inclusive economic growth, youth empowerment, and global connection.

Launched officially on September 11, 2025, in Abuja, Creative Economy Week will span across five Nigerian cities – Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu – before culminating in a landmark London showcase on October 11.

The event series promises to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s creative economy, building on the success of the 2023 pilot edition and strengthening the partnership between the British Council and FMACTCE.

The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year, reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative economy, building international connections, and scaling opportunities for youth, women, and the wider creative sector.

Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025 will feature a range of activities designed to empower youth and women in the creative sector. These include high-level policy dialogues and networking sessions with government leaders, industry stakeholders, and UK partners; masterclasses and workshops on film, TV, photography, music, fashion, and creative entrepreneurship; craft sessions in batik making, leatherworks, and fibreglass sculpting; and creative pop-up markets and art showcases spotlighting Nigerian talent.

The London showcase on October 11 will provide a platform for diaspora voices, strengthen international collaboration, and forge new opportunities for global creative exchange. This event will be a testament to the power of creativity and culture to drive economic growth, empower youth, and build bridges between nations.

Donna McGowan, British Council Country Director for Nigeria and West Africa Cluster Lead, said: “For the British Council, youth employability and entrepreneurship are central to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, and the creative economy plays a vital role in making this possible.”

Permanent Secretary of FMACTCE, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, added: “Nigeria’s creative economy is one of the most dynamic in the world. By working with the British Council, we are building pathways for our talent to thrive, not only within Nigeria but on a global scale.”

Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025 is a celebration of the creative economy’s potential to drive economic growth, empower youth, and build bridges between nations. With its rich program of activities, this event series promises to be a landmark moment in Nigeria’s creative calendar. As the British Council and FMACTCE work together to build futures through creativity, they are paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Nigeria’s creative sector.