The creative sector of Nigeria is at the center of the scene with the partnership in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom expressed a firm commitment to collaborate with Nigeria in the expansion of the creative economy.

The high British commissioner in Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, made this known during the week of the creative economy of Nigeria, the theme “Building futures through creativity”.

He described the sector as a vital engine for the growth and creation of jobs.

Montgomery stressed that the creative economy is a “true priority for the government of the United Kingdom”, noting that it currently supports 2.4 million jobs in the UK only. He said the United Kingdom is anxious to support similar growth in Nigeria, in particular among young people.

“The creative economy is one of the eight sectors that are priority in the agreement between the United Kingdom and the Nigeria called the commercial partnership and enhanced investment,” he said.

Montgomery praised the vitality of the creative sector of Nigeria including Nollywood, Afrobeats and fashion, detecting its global impact and potential for further growth.

He said: “You have a young, capable, innovative and dynamic population,” he said.

“You have already started conquering parts of the world with some of your creative industries.”

By describing the partnership as mutually advantageous, Montgomery said that the United Kingdom brings skills and finances, while Nigeria brings innovation and cultural wealth.

“We believe that the United Kingdom and Nigeria have a real opportunity for mutual advantage, for a partnership that will benefit both sides,” he observed.

He also recognized the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom as a powerful bridge between the two nations, bringing understanding and cultural collaboration.

Montgomery praised the longtime role of the British Council in cultural diplomacy and in the development of youth.

“I want to pay homage to the long -term work of the British Council,” he said, asking applause in appreciation of the council’s efforts.

While the week of the creative economy takes place, Montgomery expressed the hope that the event would unleash new ideas and partnerships.

“We hope that other partnerships come out of the week for the years to come,” he said, marking the beginning of what many see as a new chapter in the relationships of the United Kingdom rooted in shared culture and innovation.

The national director of the British Council, Donna McGowan underlined the importance of celebrating creativity and her impact on the broader economy, employability, inclusive growth and international connections.

He says: “It is really about celebrating the importance of creativity for Nigeria and the impact that this has on the wider economy, employability, inclusive growth and international connections”.

McGowan also highlighted the enormous potential of cooperation between the United Kingdom and Nigeria in the creative sector, in particular with particular attention to policies, to allow paintings and development of skills.

Note: “Much more can be obtained, given the huge youth population in Nigeria, so there is so, so potential and so much potential for cooperation between the United Kingdom and Nigeria”.

He also underlined the theme of the week of creative economy, “Building futures through creativity” and expressed his excitement for the various planned events and activities.

“So we think there is a lot to celebrate, there is a lot of which to be very positive. And this is all under our theme of building Futures through creativity, which we consider very current for this moment over time,” he said.

The Minister of the Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, the lawyer Hannatu Musawa represented by the permanent secretary, dr. Mukhtar Muhammad has narrated that shared creativity loses strong links between nations.

“The most lasting link between nations is often forged in the fires of shared creativity. They are composed in the rhythm of a song, sewn in the fabric of our fashion, framed in the lens of a film and brought to the stages of our theaters.”

He noticed that the creative sector of Nigeria as a source of national pride and global recognition, affirming how Nollywood, Afrobeats, Fashion and Literature have become symbols of the identity and influence of Nigeria, projecting the image of the country in the world.

He said: “The creative sector of Nigeria is our new national pride, our undeniable global passport”.

Muhammad underlined the importance of partnerships, in particular with the United Kingdom, to develop a thriving creative economy. He said: “Together we are not just a combination, we are a collaboration. A fusion that has the potential to establish a new global standard for what a creative economy can achieve”.

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