In a major push to boost Nigeria’s creative industry, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, has partnered with Lens for Good, a nonprofit storytelling initiative, to promote digital storytelling, capacity building, and youth empowerment across the country.
According to a statement issued on Monday, the partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abuja, marking what stakeholders have described as a new phase of collaboration between government and the private sector in advancing Nigeria’s creative economy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, said the partnership represents a collective effort to reclaim Nigeria’s narrative and promote the nation’s soft power through authentic storytelling.
“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,” she said.
Musawa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive to build sustainable, private-sector-driven initiatives that outlive individual projects, stressing that the ministry will continue to provide an enabling environment for the growth of the creative and cultural industries.
As part of the collaboration, the Lens for Good Web App will be integrated with the Ministry’s Creative Leap Acceleration Programme, creating a single platform where Nigerian creatives can access mentorship, training, and government-supported opportunities.
Chairman of Lens for Good’s Board, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, described the partnership as a landmark step toward transforming creativity into a sustainable economic driver.
“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 creativity, innovation, and resilience, Nigeria becomes investable,” Aboyeji said.
He added that despite their massive contributions to the economy, many Nigerian creatives remain underpaid, pledging continued support to strengthen the ecosystem through investment and mentorship.
Julia Azubuike, Executive Director of Lens for Good, said the partnership was designed to empower storytellers through access to digital tools, funding opportunities, and creative networks.
“We are building an inclusive ecosystem that connects government, the private sector, and youth talent. Our goal is to position Nigerian storytellers as global ambassadors through film, photography, and digital media,” she explained.
The initiative will debut with the Imo State Creative Empowerment Workshop, one of several planned nationwide programs aimed at training and equipping young creatives with skills for the global market.
According to the statement, the MoU aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes youth development, innovation, and job creation through the creative economy.
Since its establishment, Lens for Good has trained thousands of young Nigerians and connected them to professional opportunities in storytelling, digital media, and entrepreneurship. The organization’s mission remains clear to help Nigerians tell their own stories and reshape the country’s image through creativity and innovation.
