NCAC, NGF Collaborate to Harness Cultural and Creative Industries for National Development
By Ewache Ajefu
Abuja – In a historic collaboration, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have launched a strategic partnership aimed at unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries for sustainable development and economic growth.
The meeting which was held at The Nigeria Governors Forum Secretariat, Maitama Abuja, brought together the leadership of both organizations, with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) represented by its Director General (DG), Dr. AbdulLateef Shittu, accompanied by key directors and staff.
The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) delegation was led by its Director General (DG), Mr. Obi Asika.
In his address at the occasion, the DG of NGF underscored the Forum’s dedication to fostering good governance, economic growth, and national development.
He highlighted the NGF as a unifying and non-partisan platform committed to advancing intergovernmental collaboration, innovative policy solutions, and sustainable development across Nigeria’s 36 states.
Dr. Shittu reaffirmed the NGF’s mission to support governors in delivering effective governance by prioritizing capacity-building, evidence-based policymaking, and strategic partnerships.
He said the Forum’s alignment with initiatives such as this collaboration with NCAC reflects its commitment to strengthening sub-national governance and harnessing local resources for national prosperity.
In his response to the NGF’s warm reception, the DG of NCAC shared the mission of preserving and promoting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while fostering the development of the creative economy in Nigeria.
He invited the NGF to participate fully in two of NCAC’s flagship programs – the International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) and the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST). Both events took place in Abuja from November 18th to 30th, 2024. The DG mentioned the Renaissance project, which is focused on the sub-nationals, and that the Minister will share this with the NGF.
More importantly, Mr. Asika unveiled key initiatives of the Council introduced by the current Administration:
Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (ICE): This flagship capacity-building program aims to upskill up to 2 million Nigerians in the cultural and creative sectors by 2027, aligning with national goals for youth empowerment and job creation.
Origins: NCAC is developing this multi-faceted digital platform in partnership with private sector stakeholders to document and celebrate Nigeria’s living cultural heritage. It will serve as a global cultural inventory, intellectual property index, and connection bridge for Nigerians. The program has already commenced data aggregation from states, capturing diverse cultural expressions, including festivals, fabrics, cuisine, and performances.
Nigeria’s Got Talent: In collaboration with the globally acclaimed Got Talent franchise, NCAC is set to launch a new season in 2025. This initiative aims to showcase Nigeria’s untapped talent and cultural heritage globally. A talent incubator will be established in all participating states, targeting the upskilling of at least 1,000 participants per state.
A Promising Path Forward
The meeting concluded with an air of optimism and enthusiasm. Mr. Asika expressed his profound gratitude to the NGF for the warm reception and fruitful discussions, reaffirming NCAC’s commitment to collaborating with the Forum to achieve shared socio-economic growth and development goals for the States of Nigeria. The DG of NGF requested the Council to develop and share a sub-national roadmap for the business opportunities in the cultural and creative sector that will lead to jobs and economic expansion. NCAC & NGF have formed a high-level joint working committee to drive forward the planned collaborations and develop these frameworks.
This partnership symbolizes a transformative step for Nigeria, where culture and creativity are harnessed as drivers of national development. The NCAC and NGF invite all stakeholders, government agencies, private sector players, and international organizations to join in building a sustainable future for Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries.
