Global Entrepreneurship Network Nigeria (GEN) Nigeria) and Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University have teamed up with Providus Bank to drive creative industry growth in Nigeria and increase its $8billion contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
The team said they would do this by deepening the awareness and underscore the opportunities that exist within the industry.
They stated this Thursday at the 2023 Creative Nigeria Summit, which was held in Lagos with the theme; “Investing in Nigeria’s Creative Ecosystem: Unlocking Jobs and Economic Growth.”
Speaking at the summit, Director, EDC- Pan- Atlantic University, Nneka Okekearu said that the opportunities that exist in the creative sector and its contribution to wealth and job creation as well as gross domestic product (GDP) could not be overemphasised.
“EDC is in the forefront to drive conversations that would see creative industry growth as well as its contributions to the GDP and creation of wealth and jobs. We have to create awareness and bring stakeholders to see the challenges and opportunities that exist in the industry”, Okekearu said.
ED/Chief Financial Officer, Providus Bank, Deoye Ojuroye stated that the bank was well positioned to support the growth of the creative economy.
“This is a huge potential in the industry but we just need to harness this potential to provide optimal results”, Ojuroye said.
He said that in other countries the creative sector is a huge revenue earner and it is about time that Nigeria gives adequate attention to the creative industry.
Delivering its keynote, the Director General of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Charles Odii said, “While the creative industry does have its positives, Nigeria does not have strong laws to protect the piracy of material without the consent of the creator.”
