The partnership among Pan African University, Global Entrepreneurship Network Nigeria, and Enterprise Development Centre with Providus Bank aims to bolster Nigeria’s creative industry, as revealed during the 2023 Creative Nigeria Summit themed ‘Investing in Nigeria’s Creative Ecosystem: Unlocking Jobs and Economic Growth.’
Nneka Okekearu, Director at EDC PAN-Atlantic University, highlighted the summit’s objective to raise awareness and emphasize the vast opportunities within the creative sector, crucial for wealth creation, job generation, and GDP growth.
EDC is spearheading efforts to stimulate discussions promoting the industry’s growth, wealth creation, and significant contributions to Nigeria’s GDP.
Deoye Ojuroye, Providus Bank’s Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, expressed the bank’s readiness to support the creative economy, emphasizing the sector’s untapped potential for substantial revenue generation.
Charles Odii, DG of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), pointed out the absence of robust laws protecting creators’ materials from piracy. He acknowledged the sector’s vitality but highlighted challenges such as weak infrastructure, including the need for consistent power supply and government-backed grants for entrepreneurs in the creative space.
Joshua Adedeji, Country Lead of Global Alliance African, urged a revamp of the educational curriculum, advocating for early exposure to technology. He emphasized the need for a balanced educational system that incorporates both theoretical learning and practical experiences to prepare individuals for evolving job landscapes shaped by emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
