The Creative Industries Initiative for Africa (CIIFA) has partnered with Google to launch the second cohort of the Engage Nigeria program. This initiative aims to equip 8,000 Nigerian youth with vital skills for the creative industry.
Empowering the Next Generation
Engage Nigeria is part of the Skill Sprint initiative, which began in 2023 to train 20,000 Nigerian women and youth in digital skills. The program focuses on enhancing participants’ abilities in music business and production, event planning, cinematography, animation, graphic design, and content creation. Building on the success of the first cohort, which trained over 2,200 individuals, this second cohort will benefit 6,000 creatives across Nigeria.
Industry and Community Support
The program includes mentorship from seasoned professionals and networking opportunities with industry leaders. This holistic approach ensures participants are well-prepared to thrive in the competitive creative industry.
Expanding Reach in Lagos
A notable expansion in this cohort is the partnership with the GOYF Community Digitech Hub, bringing the initiative to the Eti-Osa 02 community in Lagos. Gbolahan Olusegun Yishawu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Eti-Osa Constituency 02, expressed his support, saying, “We are delighted to collaborate with CIIFA to bring the Engage Nigeria program to our constituency. This partnership will unlock opportunities for our youth and provide them with critical skills indispensable to excel in the creative industry. It is a monumental stride towards fostering economic growth and innovation in Eti-Osa constituency 02 specifically and Lagos State at large.”
Support from Key Leaders
Godwin Tom, Founder of CIIFA, emphasized the organization’s mission, stating, “Our mission at CIIFA is to empower the next generation of creative professionals in Africa. Partnering with GOYF Community Digitech Hub allows us to reach more young talents in Eti-Osa 02, providing them with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the creative economy. We are grateful for the support from Google.org in making this possible.”
Olumide Falegan, Manager, EMEA Music & Culture at Google SSA, highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s youth, stating, “Digital technologies are not just tools; they are catalysts for endless possibilities. Through these platforms, our young talent can emerge as key contributors to the digital economy.”
Driving Economic Growth
Nigeria’s creative landscape is a dynamic and growing sector, contributing significantly to the economy. From Nollywood’s global influence to the rise of Afrobeats, Nigerian creatives are making their mark worldwide. The Engage Nigeria program taps into this potential, providing participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various creative disciplines.
This collaboration between CIIFA and Google aims to drive significant social impact, demonstrating the potential for AI to support social good initiatives and offering practical insights on how to leverage technology for programmatic and capacity development purposes.
