In a bold and strategic move to rescue Nigeria’s creative industries from the lingering economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) have officially partnered with the Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (CEAN) to design and implement a nationwide intervention targeting vulnerable creative businesses. The collaboration, launched in mid-2022, marks a milestone in the recognition of Nigeria’s creative economy as a critical pillar of national development and affirms CEAN’s position as a trusted stakeholder in industry policy and infrastructure development. Responding to a Sector in Crisis The partnership was galvanised by CEAN’s early post-pandemic white paper, “Creating Through Crisis: The Future of Nigerian Creativity Post-COVID,” which presented compelling data and policy recommendations that influenced federal strategy. While other sectors received initial support under the government’s economic recovery plans, it was CEAN’s persistent advocacy and detailed sector mapping that brought national attention to the creative industries’ urgent needs. “From day one of the pandemic, we understood that Nigeria’s cultural workforce—millions strong—was at risk of collapse,” said Adebowale Ewedemi, CEAN founding executive and veteran media entrepreneur. “We didn’t just lobby for change; we brought the tools, the structure, and the roadmap.” “Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, stupid people already have all the answers.” From Blueprint to Implementation The result was a landmark intervention program backed by BOI and regulated by CBN, with CEAN serving as the official implementation partner. The program delivers targeted support to struggling sub-sectors, including independent film, performance art, fashion, radio, music, design, and digital content production. Highlights of the programme include:Access to low-interest working capital for creative entrepreneursTraining grants and accelerator programs for skill developmentSupport for studio and performance infrastructureTechnical assistance for digital transformation and business retooling CEAN’s nationwide rollout has seen the training of over 2,000 creative entrepreneurs, advisory support to more than 500 micro-businesses, and the establishment of regional Creative Recovery Hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu. Sustained Leadership in Nigeria’s Creative Economy This intervention is only the latest in CEAN’s long record of national impact. During the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the association served as a frontline support system—offering emergency relief, transitioning training programs online, and shaping portions of the Federal Government’s Survival Fund. For more than a decade, CEAN has played a vital role in connecting Nigeria’s informal creative workforce to structured policy, funding, and formal economic opportunities. Through this work, the association—under Ewedemi’s leadership—has consistently introduced original models, innovative frameworks, and institutional partnerships that define sustainable creative sector governance in Africa. Architects of a New Creative Economy This partnership with CBN and BOI reflects a broader understanding that Nigeria’s future is tied to the creative ingenuity of its people—and that long-term development requires strategic institutions with deep insight, trust, and capacity. “We’re proud to move beyond advocacy into implementation,” said Ewedemi. “This is not a moment—it’s a movement. We are helping to reshape the creative industry into a nationally recognized economic force.” As the creative sector continues to recover and rebuild, CEAN remains committed to ensuring that no artist, content creator, or cultural innovator is left behind. News Source: https://guardian.ng/news/cbn-boi-partner-with-cean-to-support-creative-sector-post-covid/

The Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria has called for nominations from creative entrepreneurs for 49 categories of the 5th edition of the awards. The Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria have called on creative entrepreneurs to nominate themselves or other deserving Nigerians for the awards. Applicants must have already been running a business or working in the creative sector with at least two years of experience to be eligible for the awards. The nominees must have shown innovative approaches to the development of the creative entrepreneurial sector. Their potential to be one of the leaders of the creative industry must be demonstrated through their character and drive. Anyone interested in applying on behalf of themselves or someone else should write an essay that is no longer than 500 words, detailing nominees entrepreneurial ability, leadership and market knowledge. The essay should be sent to info@creative-nigeria.org by October 16, 2016 at the latest. Winners are to be announced on December 4, 2016 at the Creative Industry Awards Dinner.

The British Council has named Bank of Industry (BoI) as the highest supporter of the creative industry in Nigeria. The U.K. agency, during the fourth edition of its annual Creative Industry Awards, which took place recently, honoured stakeholders in the media, entertainment, fashion and business sectors in 21 categories. Receiving the award on behalf of the Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, the Group Head, Creative Desk at BoI, Mrs. Uche Nwuka, thanked British Council for identifying with the creative sector and encouraging stakeholders through the reward system. Nwuka, who disclosed that BoI has been working with some organisations, especially the British Council, in the areas of capacity training of stakeholders noted that the company had supported about eight different projects by giving them loans without collateral. She cited Filmhouse Cinemas, G-Media distribution outfit, Silverbird Cinemas, Ozone Cinema, Viva Cinema, Flower Girl and Half of a Yellow Sun as some of the projects the bank has supported. BoI is also helping to assuage, through its support for G-Media, a distribution run by notable film marketer, Igwe Gabriel Okoye, with online and physical structures across the six geo-political zones of the country. The Creative Industries Awards is aimed at rewarding Initiatives, Talent, Creativity and Entrepreneurship within the creative industry, recognising the central role they play in the development of a competitive and sustainable creative economy. During the awards, there were performances by Isaac Geralds, Cone ‘Aduke’, Afro-Soul Diva Aramide, Capital FEMI and Jaywon.