L-R: Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Obi Asika, with Nigeria and UK delegates at CANEX… Credit: British High Commission
Jonny Baxter said the UK was interested in developing sustainable partnerships with Nigeria’s creative sector.
The United Kingdom and Nigeria are working to strengthen partnerships in their creative industries, following engagements involving 17 British professionals and Nigerian stakeholders to explore investment, business opportunities and access to global markets.
The initiative is part of preparations for the 2028 UK-Nigeria Season of Culture.
The Communications Lead for Growth, Trade and Investment at the British High Commission in Nigeria, Ndidiamaka Eze, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Lagos.
Speaking at the engagements, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, said the UK was interested in developing sustainable partnerships with Nigeria’s creative sector.
“Nigeria’s creative industries combine exceptional talent, entrepreneurial energy, and global influence.
“The UK is committed to being a practical, long-term partner, connecting Nigerian creative businesses and institutions with expertise, networks, finance, and international markets,” he said.
Baxter said the impact of the initiative would be measured by the partnerships created, obstacles addressed and opportunities converted into lasting benefits for creative businesses and professionals in both countries.
He added that the relationships formed during the visit would help lay the groundwork for the 2028 cultural season.
Also speaking, the British Council Country Director in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, said cross-border cultural exchanges could help creative professionals improve their skills, establish relationships and connect with international networks.
“Creativity thrives when talented people have the opportunity to exchange ideas, develop their skills, and build trusted relationships across borders,” McGowan said.
She said the British Council would work towards ensuring that the engagements delivered lasting benefits and contributed to an inclusive UK-Nigeria cultural season in 2028.
The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, said Nigeria’s creative sector had considerable talent and intellectual property that could generate more commercial value through international collaboration.
He noted that the proposed cultural season and trade partnership could create opportunities for Nigerian creative businesses to reach new audiences and markets.
“For me, the real measure of success will be what lasts beyond 2028: the tours, collaborations, publishing deals, television projects, fashion partnerships, and new businesses that grow from the relationships we are building now,” Asika said.
A member of the British delegation and founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Black British Book Festival, Selina Brown, described her experience in Lagos as inspiring, pointing to the city’s creative atmosphere and potential for collaboration.
Brown said the visit provided opportunities to interact with both emerging and established Nigerian artists, writers, publishers and other industry stakeholders.
She emphasised the importance of equitable partnerships, noting that knowledge-sharing between the two countries should be reciprocal.
Following the engagements, British and Nigerian partners are expected to pursue business introductions, policy discussions and potential collaborations identified during the visit.
The UK delegation comprised 17 creative industry professionals from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They held discussions with Nigerian businesses, practitioners, policymakers and cultural institutions across film, television, music, fashion, design, literature, theatre and visual arts.
The programme featured meetings, roundtable discussions and activities linked to the Africa International Film Festival, Creative Africa Nexus Weekend, Lagos Fringe and Art X Lagos.
Participants also examined challenges facing Nigeria’s creative sector, including skills development, intellectual property protection, access to funding, production capacity, distribution and reaching local and international audiences.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership Creative Industries Technical Working Group, established in March 2025 to identify commercial opportunities, tackle regulatory and trade barriers, and encourage cooperation across creative sectors.
The 2028 UK-Nigeria Season of Culture is expected to provide a platform for further partnerships, professional exchanges, audience development and creative projects involving both countries.
