In a bid to drive innovation across cultural and creative industries, the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) recently announced the launch of the Council for Creative Technology Futures (CCTF), a national initiative designed to
Place Nigeria at the forefront of global innovation where culture meets code.
The CCTF will deliver the National Creative-Tech Framework & 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 a memorandum from stakeholders and collaborate closely with NCAC sister agencies in culture and tourism, and taking a memorandum from the interested stakeholders’ angle will also advance global advocacy to elevate Nigeria’s creative sector on international platforms and look for the best-in-class solutions to drive economic growth. Membership is pro bono, reflecting a national service ethos and a shared commitment to a digitally empowered creative sector.
In its first phase, the Council will establish foundational frameworks and deliverables, paving the way forward for the CCI and the creator economy, strategic partnerships 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 mobilising investment, technical expertise, and global exposure for Nigeria’s creative-tech future.
Its core mandates will include guiding Nigeria’s creative industries into a digitally empowered future that drives job creation and economic growth, equipping creators with global tools, platforms, and market access and enhancing Nigeria’s position as a cultural and technological powerhouse.
As Nigeria’s creative economy, projected to surpass $25 billion by 2025, continues to shape global narratives across music, film, fashion, gaming, and digital content, the CCTF will serve as a high-level policy, strategy, and implementation platform for harnessing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Web3, and blockchain across over 49 creative industry sectors.
The Director General of NCAC, Obi Asika, explained that the Council is about merging culture and code, storytelling and smart contracts, heritage and innovation.
“We are not just reacting to global change we are leading it from Africa. The launch of the Council for Creative Technology Futures is a milestone. We are building the foundation for Nigeria’s creative future where our stories, music, art, and innovation are protected, monetised, and celebrated globally,” he concluded.
The Inaugural Council Members have been selected to bring together a diverse range of expertise and leadership. The Chairman, Charles Emembolu from TechQuest, will guide the council’s efforts in talent development. Misan Harriman contributes his skills as a Director and Photographer, while Dayo Elegbe from Sponge Group offers insights from his experience in digital marketing.
Bizzle Oshikoya represents The Plug in the realm of music talent management, and Kemi Awodein serves as the Managing Director of Chapel Hill Denham, bringing valuable financial acumen to the group. Osas Peter, the Founder of BlackAt, alongside Malik Afegbua, who specialises in AI storytelling and creative visual futurism, enriches the council with their innovative perspectives.
Sandra Oyewole, an IP Lawyer at Olajide Oyewole & Co, will ensure that legal insights are well-represented, while Judith Okonkwo, a leader in AR and new technology from Imisi 3D, will focus on cutting-edge advancements. Further, Dr. Dahiru Sani, the Founder of Kaduna Business School, and Dr. Chinedu Odoala, Head of the NCAC Secretariat, will lend their extensive knowledge and experience to support the council’s mission. Together, this group aims to drive progress in their respective fields and foster collaboration.
