By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
The National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, with the approval of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, FMACTCE, has announced the launch of the Council for Creative Technology Futures, CCTF, a groundbreaking national initiative designed to place Nigeria at the forefront of global innovation in the industry.
The launch of the initiative was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Media of the NCAC, Dr. Dennis Olofu, in Abuja on Tuesday.
It noted that as Nigeria’s Creative economy, projected to surpass $25 billion by 2025, continues to shape global narratives across music, film, fashion, and digital content, the CCTF will serve as a high-level policy, strategy, and implementation platform.
It emphasised that this platform will serve as an instrument for harnessing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented and Visual Reality (AR/VR), Web3 and Blockchain across over 49 Creative industry sectors.
The statement quoted the Director General of the NCAC, Obi Asika, as saying; “This Council is about merging culture and code, storytelling and contracts, heritage and innovation. We are not just reacting to global change but leading it from Africa.”
It stresses that; “the core mandate of the CCTF is to guide Nigeria’s Creative industry into a digitally empowered future that drives job creation and economic growth.
” It also aims to equip Creators with global tools, platforms and market access as well as enhance Nigeria’s position as a cultural and technological powerhouse.”
According to him, the CCTF will deliver the National Creative Tech Framework and Roadmap (2025-2030) aligning with the National AI Strategy, Executive Order 005, the Digital Economy Policy (2020-2030) and NCAC-led programmes such as ICE Hubs and Discover Naija.
The council will take memorandum from stakeholders and collaborate closely with NCAC sister agencies in culture and tourism and their interesting angles will help advance global advocacy to elevate Nigeria’s Creative sector on the international platforms and a look for the best-in-class solutions to drive economic growth.
In furtherance of its mandate, strategic partnership will be developed with the British Council, University for the Creative Arts, UK, UNESCO, Google, Meta, AfDB, Giz, The EU, Netflix and other key development and technology partners in mobilising investment, technical expertise, and global exposure for Nigeria’s Creative-tech future.
“The launch of the Council for Creative Technology Futures is a milestone,” Asika added.
“We are building the foundation for Nigeria’s Creative future where our stories, music, art and innovation are protected, monetised and celebrated globally.”
The inaugurated Council members include: Charles Emembolu – TechQuest, Talent Development as Chairman with members including, Misan Harriman – Director & Photography; Dayo Elegbe – Sponge Group, Digital Marketing; Bizzie Oshikoya – The Plus, Music & Talent Management and Kemi Awodein- MD, Chapel Hill Denham.
Others are: Osas Peter – Founder, BlackAt; Malik Afegbua – AI Storytelling & Creative Visual Futurism; Sandra Oyewole – IP Lawyer, Olajide Oyewole & Co; Judith Okwonko – Imisi 3D, AR & New Technology Leader; Dr. Dahiru Sani – Founder, Kaduna Business School as well as Dr. Chinedu Odoala – Head, NCAC Secretariat.
Dr. Olofu, in the statement, pointed out that; “With this strategic launch, Nigeria is taking a bold step into the future unlocking millions of jobs, increasing IP exports, attracting venture capital and empowering a new generation of creators, technologists and entrepreneurs.”
