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The UK and Nigeria are strengthening creative-sector partnerships to expand trade, attract investment and improve access to international markets.
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A 17-member UK delegation engaged Nigerian creative professionals and policymakers across film, music, fashion, literature, theatre and visual arts during a week of activities in Lagos.
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The engagements are expected to lay the groundwork for the UK-Nigeria Season of Culture 2028, with discussions focusing on intellectual property, financing, skills development and cross-border collaboration.
November 9, (THEWILL) – The United Kingdom and Nigeria are strengthening partnerships across their creative industries, with a focus on trade, investment and access to international markets ahead of the UK-Nigeria Season of Culture in 2028.
The initiative followed a series of engagements in Lagos involving 17 UK creative professionals and Nigerian industry leaders, policymakers and cultural institutions.
The delegation, representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, explored opportunities for collaboration across film, television, music, fashion, design, literature, theatre and visual arts.
The programme featured meetings, roundtables and activities around the Africa International Film Festival, Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX), Lagos Fringe and Art X Lagos.
Discussions centred on skills development, intellectual property protection, access to finance, production capacity, distribution and expanding local and international audiences.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, said the UK was committed to building long-term partnerships that would connect Nigerian creative businesses with expertise, networks, finance and international markets.
He said the success of the engagements would depend on sustained relationships, the removal of barriers and opportunities that deliver lasting benefits to businesses and people in both countries.
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Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, said the programme created opportunities for creative practitioners and institutions to exchange ideas, develop skills and build cross-border relationships.
She added that the relationships established would support future collaborations and help shape an inclusive UK-Nigeria Season of Culture in 2028.
Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika, said Nigeria had significant creative talent and intellectual property with untapped commercial potential.
Asika said the focus should extend beyond the 2028 cultural season to tangible outcomes, including international tours, publishing deals, television projects, fashion partnerships and new businesses.
The engagements also supported the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership Creative Industries Technical Working Group, established in March 2025 to identify commercial opportunities and address regulatory and trade barriers across the creative economy.
The UK and Nigerian partners are expected to build on the discussions through further introductions, policy engagements and partnership opportunities.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
