The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) have announced a new strategic partnership to strengthen the economic foundations of Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries, in line with the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy’s roadmap for national development.
The collaboration aims to work on the rebasing and true valuation of the creative sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, enhance data and economic analysis, and improve investment readiness across key industries including film, music, dance, hair and beauty, culinary arts, publishing and literature, design, fashion, crafts, gaming, and digital content.
The alliance officially launches during the 18th International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo 2025, which kicks off on October 9, 2025, at the Arts and Crafts Village, Abuja. A central highlight of the event will be the Investment Roundtable on the Economics of Nigerian Soft Power, jointly hosted by NCAC and CSEA on Friday, October 10 at CSEA’s headquarters.
The roundtable will convene economists, investors, policymakers, and creative industry leaders to explore how storytelling, culture, and creativity can drive sustainable national growth, attract investment, and project Nigeria’s soft power globally.
Quote from Dr. Obi Asika, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC)
“This collaboration with CSEA is about grounding our creative and cultural industries in hard economic data and sound investment principles. The Minister’s roadmap calls for the sector to become business-ready, and this partnership helps us deliver that — building the financial and policy architecture our creators and investors need. The INAC Investment Roundtable marks the beginning of this alliance, as we move from cultural celebration to economic activation.”
Quote from Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwana, Executive Director, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA)
“The creative sector is one of Nigeria’s most dynamic growth frontiers, and through this partnership, we will provide the evidence base to quantify its true contribution to the economy. Working with NCAC allows us to align research with policy, to ensure creativity is recognized as a key driver of GDP growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.”
About INAC 2025
The International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo 2025, themed “Crafting the Future: Creativity, Culture and Collaboration,” is Nigeria’s flagship platform for promoting arts, crafts, and cultural exchange. Organized by NCAC, this year’s edition spotlights investment and economic empowerment within the creative economy, welcoming participants from across Nigeria, Africa, and the global cultural community.
About NCAC
The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is Nigeria’s lead agency for cultural promotion, preservation, and creative economy development. Under the leadership of Dr. Obi Asika, NCAC is driving strategic initiatives to position culture and creativity as engines of economic growth and soft-power diplomacy.
About CSEA
The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) is a leading policy think tank based in Abuja. CSEA conducts evidence-based research that informs economic policy, development strategy, and institutional reform across Africa.
