Through the platform provided by the British Council in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE) and other key stakeholders, Nigerian youth are enabled to showcase their talents in various forms, visual and performing arts, film, music, fashion design, among other forms of creativity.

The Creative Economy Week is a week-long event aimed at highlighting the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth within the creative and cultural industries.

Some activities of the week are also taking place in Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja, Lagos, and London.

Speaking on the activities in Enugu, Harry Kesiena, the head of Arts at the British Council Nigeria, said:

“For us at the British Council, the Creative Economy Week Nigeria is a platform created to spotlight Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries, share opportunities, and present the United Kingdom’s expertise in the Nigerian creative sector while giving young creatives a platform to grow.

“There were numerous highlights and a multitude of outcomes from Enugu. More importantly, activities in Enugu were made possible through a partnership with the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), led by Obi Asika, the director-general. Enugu was of particular interest to us because of the number of young people based in the state. It is one of the focus states in eastern Nigeria,” Kesiena explained.

According to Harry Kesiena, the Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025 is a significant leap from 2023, when it started.

It is expected to showcase the brilliance of Nigerian creatives both in Nigeria and globally and the potential that the Nigerian creative sector has to offer the world.

The Culture and Creative Economy Summit in Enugu, held on September 9, 2025, brought together various Commissioners of Arts and Culture from different states.

The summit allowed the British Council to present the activities of the Creative Economy Week to representatives from various states in Nigeria.

The occasion enabled the British Council to share its model of partnerships, demonstrate how it is building the capacity of young people in Nigeria, and identify areas for collaboration with these states.

The Creative Economy Week in Enugu was packed with opportunities for young people and served as an avenue for stakeholders in the creative industries to gain insights into how to foster the growth of the sector.

The landmark six-city celebration of innovation, skills, and collaboration will be held under the theme ‘Building Futures through Creativity.’

Launched officially on 11 September 2025 in Abuja, Creative Economy Week will span Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, and London, bringing together artists, creative entrepreneurs, cultural hubs, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and international partners.

The event series will showcase the power of creativity and culture as catalysts for inclusive economic growth, youth empowerment, and global connection.

This will be the second edition of Creative Economy Week in Nigeria, following the successful pilot held in 2023.

Since its inception, the programme has expanded beyond Nigeria, inspiring Creative Economy Weeks in Uganda, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, making it one of the British Council’s most dynamic cultural economy initiatives in Africa.

The 2025 edition also comes on the backdrop of a strengthened partnership between the British Council and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year.

This MoU reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative economy, building international connections, and scaling opportunities for youth, women, and the wider creative sector.

The programme includes:

• High-level policy dialogues and networking sessions with government leaders, industry stakeholders, and UK partners.
• Masterclasses and workshops on film, TV, photography, music, fashion, and creative entrepreneurship.
• Craft sessions in batik making, leatherworks, and fibreglass sculpting.
• Creative pop-up markets and art showcases spotlighting Nigerian talent.
• Major conferences in Lagos focusing on women in film, creative technology, investment, legal frameworks, education, and the future of the creative economy.

Speaking on the partnership, Donna McGowan, British Council country firector for Nigeria and West Africa Cluster Lead, said:

‘For the British Council, youth employability and entrepreneurship are central to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, and the creative economy plays a vital role in making this possible. This year’s collaboration with the Ministry reflects our joint commitment to ensuring that the creative economy continues to drive jobs, innovation, and inclusive growth.’

Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE), added:

‘Nigeria’s creative economy is one of the most dynamic in the world. By working with the British Council, we are building pathways for our talent to thrive, not only within Nigeria but on a global scale. Together, we are truly building futures through creativity.’

Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025 will run from 11 to 21 September across five Nigerian cities, before culminating in a landmark London showcase on 11 October, a platform designed to spotlight diaspora voices, strengthen international collaboration, and forge new opportunities for global creative exchange.