Professor Lyndsay Duthie
Nigeria needs to exploit its young population, creativity, and global reach to lead Africa’s culture and creative economy hub.
Professor Lyndsay Duthie of the University for the Creative Arts, UK Duthie gave the suggestion at the Second Culture and Creative Economy Summit organized by the National Council on Arts and Culture (NCAC). Enugu hosted the Summit between 9 and 11 September 2025, with Nigeria’s cultural sector leaders in attendance.
NCAC’s Director-General, Obi Asika, said the summit reaffirmed Nigeria’s creative economy as a driver of growth and innovation.
A highlight was the keynote speech by Professor Duthie who is Pro Vice Chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts, UK. She shared insights from from her career as a producer, media executive, and academic.
Government as the catalyst
Although Nigeria can become the hub, Prof Duthie however emphasized that policies, infrastructure, and collective action must align to drive the sector forward.
Consequently, she urged sector leaders to seize Nigeria’s vast creative potential by building stronger government and industry partnerships. She highlighted Nollywood and Afrobeats as global success stories but stressed that the sector remains “undervalued” in terms of untapped opportunities.
Drawing from her UK’s experience, she noted that tax credits and targeted government support have empowered independent producers and strengthened global competitiveness. Nigeria, she argued, could adopt similar policies while investing in skills training and infrastructure to sustain long-term growth.
Duthie also encouraged creative disciplines—film, music, fashion, design—to form trade bodies that can speak with a united voice to government. Such structures, she said, would help policymakers understand the sector’s economic value and respond with effective policies.
Pursuing collaboration and partnerships
She emphasized that collaboration, both locally and internationally, is key to unlocking the industry’s potential. The University for the Creative Arts, she noted, is open to partnerships in skills development, policy exchange, and industry engagement.
Participants voted for her emphasis on diversity, sustainability, and global linkages in Nigeria’s creative industries.
The upcoming Enugu NAFEST
Discussions also focused on strengthening the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST). This year’s edition is coming up in Enugu in November 2025, barely two months away.
The Second Culture and Creative Economy Summit drew Commissioners and Directors from the 36 states and the FCT. Attendees also came from federal parastatals and the media. The Governor of Enugu State welcomed participants as Chief Host, while the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy served as Special Guest of Honour.
