Esther Salifu
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with Nigeria in the creative sector, highlighting the industry’s capacity to drive economic growth, create jobs, and shape future innovation.
This was made known during the just-concluded Creative Economy Week themed “Building Futures Through Creativity.”
Speaking at the event, UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, emphasized the importance of the creative economy as a catalyst for development in both countries.
“The creative economy is a real priority for the UK government,”
“It generates over 2.4 million jobs in the UK, and we believe it has even greater potential in Nigeria especially for the younger population.”Montgomery said .
He noted that the partnership between both nations under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership includes the creative industry as one of eight key sectors.
“We believe that the UK and Nigeria have a real opportunity for mutual benefit. The UK brings expertise and finance, while Nigeria offers innovation, talent, and an energetic creative scene.”
Montgomery praised the rapid growth of Nigeria’s cultural exports, particularly Nollywood, Afrobeat, and fashion, stating they are “already taking over parts of the world.”
He also commended the British Council for its ongoing role in fostering cultural and educational exchanges.
“Let’s give a round of applause to the British Council. They’ve been instrumental in nurturing the next generation and building long-term cultural bridges between the UK and Nigeria.”
The week-long event featured industry panels, masterclasses, networking sessions, and exhibitions aimed at creating new opportunities for collaboration and investment across film, music, fashion, and digital media.
As the event closed, Montgomery expressed hope that new initiatives and partnerships will emerge that will sustain the momentum.
“Let’s hope some more partnerships come out of this week for the years ahead. This is the beginning of something transformative.”
The UK-Nigeria creative economy partnership signals a new era of cross-cultural innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad narrated that shared creativity forges strong bonds between nations.
“The most enduring bond between nations are often forged in the fires of shared creativity. They are composed in the rhythm of a song, stitched into the fabric of our fashion, framed in the lens of a film, and brought on the stages of our theatres.”
He noted Nigeria’s creative sector as a source of national pride and global recognition, stating how Nollywood, Afrobeats, fashion, and literature have become symbols of Nigeria’s identity and influence, projecting the country’s image to the world.
“Nigeria’s creative sector is our new national pride, our undeniable global passport.”
Dr. Muhammad stressed the importance of partnerships, particularly with the UK, to develop a thriving creative economy.
“Together we are not just a combination, we are a collaboration. A fusion that has the potential to set a new global standard for what a creative economy can achieve.”
British Council Country Director Donna McGowan emphasized the importance of celebrating creativity and its impact on the wider economy, employability, inclusive growth, and international connections.
She states, “It’s really about celebrating the importance of creativity to Nigeria and the impact that this has on the wider economy, employability, inclusive growth and international connections.”
McGowan further highlighted the huge potential for cooperation between the UK and Nigeria in the creative sector, particularly with a focus on policies, enabling frameworks, and skills development.
She notes, “So much more can be achieved given the huge youth population in Nigeria so there is so, so much potential and so much potential for cooperation between the UK and Nigeria.”
She also pointed to the theme of the Creative Economy Week, “Building Futures through Creativity,” and expressed her excitement about the various events and activities planned.
“So we think there’s lots to celebrate, there’s lots to be very positive about. And this is all under our theme of building futures through creativity, which we feel is very topical for this moment in time,” she stated.
