The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have announced a groundbreaking partnership to propel Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries (CCI) into the digital age. This strategic alliance aims to seamlessly integrate the nation’s rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology, fostering innovation and unlocking the limitless potential of both the creative and digital economies.
A high-powered meeting between NCAC Director-General, Mr. Obi Asika, and his team, with NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, and his leadership team, set the stage for this collaborative framework. This partnership leverages the strengths of both agencies to drive growth, innovation, and digital transformation across Nigeria’s vibrant creative and cultural sectors.
Key Initiatives to Supercharge the Creative Landscape:
- Empowering Creative Talent: The NCAC’s flagship program, Innovate, Create, Empower (ICE), designed to upskill participants in the CCI, will receive a significant boost. With NITDA’s support, ICE will expand to reach 1,000 locations nationwide, targeting the training of a staggering 2 million Nigerians by 2027. NITDA’s training facilities and digital labs will further enhance the program’s impact.
- Building Digital Platforms: NCAC, in collaboration with private sector partners, is developing a suite of digital platforms encompassing cultural inventory, fan engagement, influencer marketing, subscription video-on-demand (SVOD), e-commerce, and capacity building. NITDA will provide crucial support through local distribution networks and cloud services, ensuring these platforms reach their full potential.
- Digital Infrastructure Transformation: NCAC has formally requested NITDA’s assistance in equipping its headquarters and zonal offices with the latest technology. This includes computers, tablets, consumables, digital labs, and even podcast studios, to achieve a complete digital transformation.
- Showcasing Creativity on a Global Stage: NCAC will mobilize its creative and cultural communities to actively participate in NITDA’s initiatives, including the highly anticipated GITEX Nigeria 2025.
- BuyNigeria.ng: Empowering Local Markets: Both agencies have agreed to pilot BuyNigeria.ng, an innovative e-commerce platform designed to bring Nigerian markets online. The initial phase will focus on major cities like Kano, Lagos, Aba, and Abuja. This initiative aligns with NCAC’s vision of enhancing productivity in the cultural and creative sectors, while providing greater visibility and accessibility for traders and artisans.
- Joint Committee for Seamless Implementation: To ensure the successful implementation of these shared initiatives, a dedicated joint committee comprised of directors from both NCAC and NITDA has been established.
- Nigeria’s Got Talent: A Digital Future: NCAC’s highly popular Nigeria’s Got Talent platform will integrate NITDA’s digital literacy programs and gamified learning systems. This will empower aspiring creatives to thrive in a digitally-driven environment, unlocking new avenues for success.
This groundbreaking partnership between NCAC and NITDA represents a significant leap forward. By harnessing the power of technology, Nigeria’s cultural heritage will be amplified, fostering a vibrant and thriving creative powerhouse for generations to come.