By Our Correspondent
National News – The British Council has announced that President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom will strengthen cultural ties and boost Nigeria’s creative economy through structured partnerships and long-term collaborations.
The organisation highlighted that the visit represents a major diplomatic opportunity for both nations to foster innovation, skills development, and global competitiveness in the creative sector.
According to Chengetai Mujakachi, Regional Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, the British Council is proud to be part of the visit.
“The visit underlines our commitment to building strong institutional capacity, improving infrastructure, and enhancing professional skills to support Nigeria’s growing global creative economy,” the statement said.
The visit featured announcements of two key initiatives that aim to enhance bilateral cultural and creative cooperation, creating sustainable systems and opportunities for artists and creative professionals in both countries.
The organisation noted that the UK/Nigeria bilateral Season of Culture in 2028 will focus on strengthening creative infrastructure, facilitating international market access, and supporting artistic collaboration.
Delegations, program incubations, and skills development initiatives will take place over two years, ensuring long-term benefits for both nations’ creative sectors.
UK Arts Minister Ian Murray emphasised the unifying power of culture and its potential to create new economic opportunities.
“Culture has an amazing power to bring people together. With strong UK-Nigerian cultural ties, we can unlock new possibilities for innovation, employment, and growth in the creative industries,” Murray said.
The Nigerian government is also prioritising creative economy growth through policy reforms, public-private partnerships, and skill development, aiming to increase foreign exchange earnings and global competitiveness.
The British Council’s initiatives are expected to provide Nigerian creatives with enhanced technical cooperation, sustainable partnerships, and international exposure, ensuring the sector continues to drive economic development, cultural influence, and innovation.
