The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) have announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the economic foundations of Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries.
The collaboration aligns with the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy’s roadmap for national development and seeks to drive the rebasing and accurate valuation of the creative sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.
It will also enhance data quality, deepen economic analysis, and improve investment readiness across key creative industries including film, music, dance, hair and beauty, culinary arts, publishing and literature, design, fashion, crafts, gaming, and digital content.
The partnership officially launches during the 18th International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo 2025, which opens on October 9, 2025, at the Arts and Crafts Village, Abuja.
A major highlight will be the Investment Roundtable on the Economics of Nigerian Soft Power, jointly hosted by NCAC and CSEA on Friday, October 10, at CSEA’s headquarters.
The roundtable will bring together economists, investors, policymakers, and creative industry leaders to explore how storytelling, culture, and creativity can drive sustainable national growth, attract investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s global soft-power influence.
Dr. Obi Asika, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), said:“This collaboration with CSEA is about grounding our creative and cultural industries in hard economic data and sound investment principles.
The Minister’s roadmap calls for the sector to become business-ready, and this partnership helps us deliver that building the financial and policy architecture our creators and investors need.
The INAC Investment Roundtable marks the beginning of this alliance, as we move from cultural celebration to economic activation.
Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), added:“The creative sector is one of Nigeria’s most dynamic growth frontiers, and through this partnership, we will provide the evidence base to quantify its true contribution to the economy.
Working with NCAC allows us to align research with policy, ensuring creativity is recognized as a key driver of GDP growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.”
Reporting by Chioma Ezike