In a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, has partnered with Lens for Good, a leading non-profit storytelling initiative, to promote storytelling, capacity building, and policy collaboration across the country.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Abuja, marks what stakeholders described as a new era of structured partnership between government and the creative sector. The collaboration aims to provide Nigerian creatives with access to mentorship, digital tools, and professional development opportunities that enhance both local and global visibility.
Speaking at the signing, Minister Hannatu Musawa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building lasting partnerships that sustain creative growth. “The President has tasked us with creating lasting partnerships with the private sector. That is the only way to ensure that projects do not die with the people who start them. The ministry will provide every necessary support to sustain the success we are already achieving,” she said.
As part of the partnership, the Lens for Good Web App will be integrated with the Ministry’s Creative Leap Acceleration Programme, creating a unified digital platform for creatives to access mentorship, learning resources, and government-backed opportunities.
Chairman of the Board of Lens for Good, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, described the collaboration as a “historic win” for Nigeria’s creative community, noting that storytelling plays a vital role in shaping perception and driving investment. “Telling our stories isn’t charity; it’s business. It shapes how the world sees us and how investors engage with us. When people see only poverty, it limits investment. But when they see creativity, innovation, and resilience, Nigeria becomes investable,” he said.
Aboyeji stressed that Nigerian creatives remain underpaid despite their major contributions to the economy. “Without the stories from creatives, those of us in business wouldn’t have an industry. Money is nice, but time is more important, and I’m proud to invest both in this vision,” he added, pledging continued support to expand the initiative nationwide.
Executive Director of Lens for Good, Julia Azubuike, said the collaboration is designed to empower young storytellers and build an inclusive creative ecosystem. “We want to promote Nigeria’s image globally through film, photography, and digital storytelling. The partnership connects government, private sector, and youth talent to amplify Nigeria’s creative voice,” she said.
Azubuike added that the partnership will kick off with the Imo State Creative Empowerment Workshop, the first in a series of nationwide programmes aimed at building creative capacity and promoting youth-led innovation.
According to a statement, the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to turn Nigeria’s creative potential into structured systems that drive economic growth, national development, and global influence.
“For far too long, our stories have been written and told for us. We must take ownership of our storytelling. For it to be authentic, it has to come from us,” Musawa said, describing storytelling as a form of soft power capable of repositioning Nigeria globally.
Since its inception, Lens for Good has trained and mentored thousands of young Nigerians, connecting them to opportunities in digital media, filmmaking, and creative entrepreneurship. The organisation’s mission is to build a network of creative ambassadors who showcase Nigeria’s diversity, resilience, and innovation through powerful storytelling.
