UK, Nigeria Deepen Creative Partnerships Ahead Of 2028 Culture Season

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have strengthened efforts to increase collaboration between their inventive industries, following a sequence of engagements involving inventive professionals, companies, policymakers and cultural establishments in Lagos.

The engagements, which concluded on November 9, 2026, introduced collectively 17 UK inventive professionals from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discover partnerships with Nigerian counterparts throughout movie, tv, music, vogue, design, literature, theatre and visible arts.

The UK Creative Sector Delegation participated in conferences, roundtable discussions and actions held alongside the Africa International Film Festival, Creative Africa Nexus Weekend, Lagos Fringe and Art X Lagos.

According to an announcement by the Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer | Comms Lead, Growth, Trade and Investment, Nigeria Network, Ndidiamaka Eze, the engagements had been designed to strengthen skilled relationships, trade experience and discover alternatives for inventive companies in each nations to entry new markets and worldwide audiences.

The discussions additionally centered on points affecting the expansion of the inventive sector, together with expertise improvement, mental property safety, entry to finance, manufacturing capability, commissioning and distribution.

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British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, stated the UK was dedicated to constructing a long-term partnership with Nigeria by connecting inventive companies and establishments with worldwide alternatives.

“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,” Baxter stated.

He added that the success of the engagements would rely on the partnerships and alternatives established past the go to.

“These engagements have been about creating the conditions for meaningful collaboration. Their success will be measured by what happens next: the relationships that continue, the barriers that are addressed and the opportunities that develop into lasting benefits for people and businesses in both our countries,” he stated.

The programme additionally varieties a part of preparations for the UK-Nigeria Season of Culture scheduled for 2028, which is predicted to offer alternatives for inventive trade, joint productions, viewers improvement and industrial partnerships.

Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, stated the engagements would assist inventive practitioners from each nations develop skilled relationships and increase their entry to worldwide networks.

“Creativity thrives when talented people have the opportunity to exchange ideas, develop their skills and build trusted relationships across borders,” McGowan stated.

She added that the British Council was involved in guaranteeing that the cultural trade translated into lasting advantages for practitioners and establishments.

“For the British Council, the priority is to ensure that cultural exchange creates lasting value. The relationships and insights developed through this programme can support future collaboration, widen access to international networks and help shape an inclusive and ambitious UK-Nigeria Season of Culture in 2028,” she stated.

Also talking, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika, stated Nigeria had vital inventive expertise and mental property that would generate higher industrial alternatives by worldwide partnerships.

He stated the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and the 2028 Season of Culture might assist Nigerian inventive works attain wider 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 stated.

He added that the target was to ascertain tangible initiatives that might be traced to the cultural partnership.

A member of the UK delegation and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Black British Book Festival, Selina Brown, described her expertise in Lagos as inspiring, highlighting alternatives for inventive professionals in each nations to study from each other.

“Lagos has been absolutely incredible. The freedom, creativity, and energy I’ve experienced here are unlike anything I’ve encountered anywhere else in the world,” Brown stated.

She famous that the go to had enabled her to attach with rising and established artists, writers, publishers and different business leaders.

“There is so much the UK and Nigeria can learn from one another, and that exchange should be genuinely mutual, rooted in collaboration rather than the idea that knowledge only flows in one direction,” she added.

The UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership Creative Industries Technical Working Group, established in March 2025, additionally featured within the engagements.

The working group brings authorities and business representatives collectively to determine industrial alternatives, deal with regulatory and non-tariff limitations and promote cooperation throughout movie and tv, music, design, vogue, structure, promoting and gaming.

Following the Lagos engagements, UK and Nigerian companions are anticipated to pursue precedence introductions, coverage discussions and partnership alternatives recognized throughout the programme.