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| Photo credit: Multicreativeme |
The Creative industry in Nigeria
is very enterprising; many artistes have become more knowledgeable to know that
being a creative person should not qualify one as a pauper. Some notable names
have evolved out of the millions of creative people in Nigeria because of their
uniqueness.
In recognition of the efforts by
the creative industry in Nigeria, the British Council started the Creative
Industries Expo as an annual platform to raise the profile of the Nigerian
Creative Industry through discussion and debate. The expo also created a forum
for exhibition of Nigeria creativity and networking between creative
entrepreneurs from Nigeria and the UK.
Other international agencies that supports the development of the
creative industry in Nigeria are Goethe Institut; Alliance Francaise.
The creative industry has also
become globalized. International collaborations, conferences, competitions,
awards and residency programmes have encouraged the practitioners in the
creative industry. They are encouraged by accessing different funds and support
for their projects.
The Nigerian creative industry in
Nigeria has thrived much more since the advent of the 4th Republic
in 1999. The unimpeded creativity of people found utmost expression and
different platforms opened up the industry across the country. Some of these
platforms include Lagos International Poetry Festival, Lagos Books and Arts Festival
and others.
Nigerian brands have changed the
lots of many people in the creative industry through sponsorship of creative
events; brand endorsement for their movies and the nomination as brand
ambassadors. This has really helped creative people to create great ideas which
travel across the globe.
Also creative people in Nigeria
have other businesses now that they are; recently, one of the Nollywood star
opened up a hotel in Sango-Otta, Ogun State. Ventures such as these keep
creative people busy when they are not on set. Some female stars have clothing
lines while other are involved in real estate.
The academic environment in
Nigeria has embraced the creative industry. Some times recently, Evangelist
Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi was appointed a Professor of Music by the Olabisi Onabanjo
University, Ago-Iwoye; Joke Silva was appointed as the Director of the Film
Village at the Kwara State University, Malete. Similarly, many creative people
have been involved in state governance in different roles; some of them are
Kate Henshaw, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Femi Adebayo and others.
The creative industry has brought
spotlight on many people and they have also crossed over from the mere
entertainer to people who have careers and at last successful on all sides. A
bunch of selected few people in the creative industry have build great names
over the years.