Nigeria’s National Theatre opens creative summit in Kano for the first time outside Lagos
Nigeria’s National Theatre has opened a two-day Creative Summit in Kano — the first time the event has been held outside Lagos. The programme brought together representatives of the creative economy to discuss access to financing, financial literacy and practical skills, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Why Kano was chosen
The organisers said the summit is intended to expand access to tools, knowledge and opportunities for professionals outside the cities where such resources are usually concentrated. Kano was selected as the first city to host the event outside Lagos because of its importance to Nigeria’s creative life.
The city is home to Kannywood, one of the country’s main film industries, and also has long-standing traditions of performing arts. National Theatre Director-General Tola Akerele said the choice of Kano was deliberate. According to her, the summit’s goal is to decentralise access to the tools, knowledge and opportunities of the creative economy.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Programme and partners
The event is being held in partnership with the European Union, the iDICE (Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises) programme and the Kano State government. The state’s Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Aisha Saji, emphasised Kano’s role in the country’s cultural history, mentioning the Kofar Mata dye pits and the ancient city walls.
During a session on intellectual property, Audu Maikori told participants about practical ways to protect creative works and the importance of documenting authorship. Bayo Omoriowo, founder of Madhouse by Tikera Africa, spoke on financial discipline and business structures that can make creative practice more attractive to investors and financiers.
Edward Israel-Aide, founder and CEO of Carpe Diem Solutions, spoke about professional reputation and communications. The summit is taking place at the Afficent Events Centre in Kano and is part of a broader initiative of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, led by Minister Hannatu Musawa.
