USAID, Partners Invest $3.5m To Boost Nigeria’s Creative Industry

Abuja, Nigeria – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a $3.5 million partnership with Ascend Studios and other private sector players to launch the “Africa Creative Blueprint,” a programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s creative industry, particularly its burgeoning film sector, Nollywood.

The initiative, unveiled Monday, will provide training and resources to Nigerian youth, aiming to elevate Nigerian creatives onto the global stage.

The collaboration brings together USAID, Ascend Studios, Paramount Nigeria, Venture Garden Group, and music executive Ralph Simon to address key challenges facing Nollywood.

These include improving film distribution, enhancing production quality through access to advanced equipment, strengthening screenwriting and story development, and improving intellectual property protection.

“The U.S. government is eager to enhance Nigeria’s capacity as a leading player in the creative economy and encourage global partnerships,” said USAID Nigeria Mission Director Melissa Jones.

The programme aims to create “high-quality, commercially viable content that can compete on the world stage.”

The Africa Creative Blueprint will focus on intensive training in TV production for 3,500 Nigerian youth across six cities: Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Benin, and Asaba.

The initiative will also cultivate a skilled workforce of at least 200 young professionals to produce a 13-episode music-infused TV drama.

This drama will serve as a vehicle for social messaging and promoting positive societal change.

The program is open to a wide range of creative professionals, including directors, writers, producers, editors, cinematographers, actors, composers, and business professionals such as lawyers and accountants. Applications are now being accepted.

Inya Lawal, CEO of Ascend Studios, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration represents a milestone for the Nigerian creative sector and opens opportunities for us to elevate African stories on a global platform.”

The initiative represents a significant investment in Nigeria’s creative potential, aiming to not only improve the quality of Nigerian content but also create sustainable economic opportunities for young Nigerians in the vibrant creative industries.