Creative Industry
NICO Solicits More Funding For Nation’s Creative Sector
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, has called for more funding of the nation’s cultural industry to fast track the diversification of the economy.
The Director Overseeing Office of the Executive Secretary of NICO, Mrs Brigitte Yerima made the call in Abuja while speaking with Radio Nigeria on this year’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
Mrs Brigitte Yerima who described culture as a veritable means for national economic development identified inadequate funding as one of the factors hindering the growth of the sector over the years.
According to her, this year’s edition of the event is coming at a time when necessary attention should be paid to other sector that could contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.
Mrs Brigitte Yerima said NICO would continue to embark on programmes that would harness the country cultural heritage for national peace and economic development.
She therefore called for more public private sector collaboration towards repositioning the sector.
“World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a day set aside by UNESCO to appreciate cultural diversity of various ethic groups to foster peaceful coexistence in the society” she stated.
The Director therefore stressed the need for Nigerians to always appreciate one another in the area of values and culture to further enhance corporate existence of the country.
FRCN
Creative Industry
CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026
Joel Ajayi
The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.
Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.
CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.
Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”
On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.
Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.
Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.
CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.
The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.
CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.
CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.
“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.
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