The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have unveiled a transformative collaboration to integrate Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries with its growing digital innovation ecosystem.
The partnership, anchored by the Innovate, Create, Empower (ICE) program, aims to train 2 million Nigerians in cultural and digital skills across 1,000 locations nationwide by 2027. NITDA will provide digital labs and training facilities to support the initiative.
In a joint statement signed by NCAC’s Head of Media, Dennis Olofu, and NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, the agencies announced plans to digitize cultural inventory, enhance fan engagement, and develop platforms for influencer marketing, subscription video-on-demand, and e-commerce.
The Director-General of NCAC, Obi Asika, and NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, met in Abuja to establish a collaborative framework. Among the initiatives is the BuyNigeria.ng e-commerce platform, piloting in Kano, Lagos, Aba, and Abuja to boost market accessibility for traders and artisans.
NCAC will also integrate NITDA’s digital literacy programs into its Nigeria’s Got Talent platform, creating new opportunities for creatives. A joint committee has been established to oversee the partnership and ensure smooth implementation.
This alliance underscores the potential for synergy between Nigeria’s cultural heritage and digital innovation, paving the way for growth in the nation’s creative and digital economies.
