The maiden edition of the Eko Creative Summit has brought together stakeholders in Lagos’ creative economy to discuss skills development, innovation and opportunities for young creatives.
The summit, held on July 15 at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, was organised by Rhoda John Media Company in partnership with the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture.
Themed “Creative Skills for the Future: Empowering Lagos’ Next Generation of Creative Leaders,” the event coincided with the global commemoration of World Youth Skills Day.
It attracted government officials, creative industry practitioners, entrepreneurs, educators, development partners and emerging talents.
According to the organisers, more than 900 people registered for the summit, although the physical attendance was limited by the capacity of the venue. The event was also streamed live on YouTube, allowing a wider audience to participate.
Discussions at the summit focused on issues affecting the growth and sustainability of the creative sector, including exporting Nigerian talent, building viable creative careers, funding creative ventures, content monetisation, branding, and the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The programme featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, masterclasses, cultural performances and networking sessions, with speakers drawn from government, media, technology, entertainment, business and the wider creative sector.
The organisers said the summit was designed to bridge the gap between policymakers, established creative professionals, entrepreneurs and young talents while providing practical knowledge for creatives seeking to compete in the global market.
Speaking after the event, the organisers said the response to the inaugural edition demonstrated the need for platforms that connect creative talent with skills, opportunities and sustainable growth.
“The response to this first edition has exceeded our expectations,” they said, adding that the summit would be developed into a larger platform in subsequent editions.
The organisers also announced plans to release recordings of keynote sessions, panel discussions and masterclasses on the summit’s digital platforms, allowing those who could not attend to access the sessions.
The Eko Creative Summit is conceived as an annual platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, innovation and skills development, with the broader objective of strengthening Lagos’ position as a leading creative hub in Africa.
