Manny Ita
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) has officially unveiled plans to host the nation’s first-ever Conference on Cultural Diplomacy, scheduled for January 27 to January 28, 2026. Under the theme “Building Nations Through Cultural Diplomacy,” the landmark summit is designed to transition Nigeria’s vast creative and traditional heritage from mere aesthetic value into a strategic instrument for conflict prevention and international relations. Convener Zainab Mohammed noted that the initiative is a direct response to the “growing recognition of culture as an underutilized instrument for development,” emphasizing that the country’s soft power—ranging from its globally dominant music and film industries to its ancient traditional institutions—remains the key to reshaping Nigeria’s image on the world stage.
The two-day conference will be hosted at the NIIA headquarters in Victoria Island and is expected to convene a diverse assembly of high-level stakeholders, including traditional rulers, veteran diplomats, and captains of the private sector. The agenda focuses on creating a sustainable framework where the “economic potential of the creative industry” can be leveraged to drive foreign direct investment and strengthen bilateral ties. Organizers have indicated that the summit will feature specialized panels on the repatriation of cultural artifacts, the role of Nollywood in regional integration, and how indigenous conflict-resolution mechanisms can be integrated into modern foreign policy.
In a move to ensure the conference results in actionable outcomes, the NIIA plans to facilitate the signing of several cooperative agreements between cultural organizations and diplomatic missions during the event. This maiden edition is being viewed by industry observers as a critical step in the “Renewed Hope Cultural Renaissance,” aimed at formalizing the relationship between Nigeria’s artistic community and its official diplomatic corps. As the January 27 opening approaches, Zainab Mohammed stated that the ultimate goal is to establish a “Cultural Diplomacy Council” that will provide ongoing advisory to the federal government on using the nation’s creative assets to secure a more prominent seat at the global table.
