The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, has inaugurated the Council for Creative Technology Futures (CCTF) to boost the integration of culture and emerging technologies.
Enabling Nigeria gain global competitiveness in the creative industry, CCTF is designed to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Web3, and blockchain across 49 creative sectors, including music, film, fashion, gaming, and digital content, as part of a plan to grow the creative economy beyond $25 billion by 2025.
NCAC Director-General, Obi Asika, called the launch a defining moment. “The launch of the CCTF is a groundbreaking initiative to place Nigeria at the forefront of the global stage, where culture meets code,” he said, adding that the council will provide creators with the platforms, tools, and market access needed to compete internationally.
In its initial phase, the CCTF will establish the National Creative-Tech Framework and Roadmap (2025–2030), aligning with the National AI Strategy, the Digital Economy Policy (2020–2030), and NCAC-led initiatives such as Discover Naija.
“The council will take memoranda from stakeholders and collaborate closely with NCAC sister agencies in the culture and tourism sector,” Asika said. He also stressed the importance of creating a digital environment where Nigerian art, stories, and music are “protected, monetised, and celebrated globally.”
To achieve this, the council will work with global partners including the British Council, UNESCO, Google, Meta, Netflix, the African Development Bank, the European Union, and the University for the Creative Arts UK. These partnerships are expected to drive investment, technical expertise, and international exposure for Nigerian creatives.
The inaugural council is chaired by Charles Emembolu of TechQuest and includes industry leaders such as photographer and director Misan Harriman; AI storytelling specialist Malik Afegbua; AR/VR expert Judith Okonkwo of Imisi 3D; intellectual property lawyer Sandra Oyewole; music executive Bizzle Oshikoya; and Kemi Awodein, Managing Director of Chapel Hill Denham.
With the CCTF, the NCAC is aiming to merge cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology, creating new jobs, drawing investment, and placing Nigeria’s creative sector at the centre of global innovation.
