The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has emphasised the importance of prioritising Nigeria’s creative industry as a major driver of economic growth to foster bilateral trade and foreign investment.
This was disclosed during its 2025 Outward Trade Mission to the United Kingdom held from April 7th to 11th, 2025, reinforcing its efforts to advance Nigeria’s economic and cultural presence on the global stage.
“The Nigerian creative sector is a national asset. Its global reach, youthful energy, and boundless talent make it a key player in our economic diversification agenda and an ideal platform for fostering bilateral collaboration with the United Kingdom,” Ray Atelly, president and chairman of NBCC, said.
Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, delivered a keynote address advocating institutional support and strategic partnerships to extend Nigeria’s cultural impact.
Her presentation “Building Global Bridges: Creative Collaboration Between the UK and Emerging Markets” underscored the power of creative industries in advancing cultural diplomacy and stimulating sustainable development.
She emphasised the need to strengthen institutional support for artists and creative entrepreneurs while forging strategic partnerships to expand Nigeria’s cultural footprint globally.
Obi Asika, director-general of the National Council for Arts and Culture, focused on “Unleashing Creativity: Building a Thriving Creative Economy for National Prosperity,” highlighting the need for Nigeria to invest in infrastructure, talent development, and policy reform to enable the creative industry to thrive both locally and on the global stage.
A panel discussion on UK-Africa creative collaboration explored themes of innovation, digital integration, market expansion, and diaspora contributions to cross-border ventures.
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In addition, Rosie Glazebrook, CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, emphasised the need for investor confidence in African creative startups and policies that reduce investment risks in her presentation on cross-border opportunities.
According to the organisation, the trade mission was part of a larger agenda tied to the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Summit in London on Tuesday, which brought together leaders and stakeholders across various sectors to facilitate economic growth and collaboration.
The NBCC delegation, led by the Chamber’s President, Ray Atelly, frpa, aligned its activities with the Chamber’s strategic goal of strengthening trade relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Atelly participated in a high-level panel during the Summit, joining global leaders to discuss trade liberalization, innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. His remarks underscored Nigeria’s role as a trade and investment hub and emphasized the importance of chambers of commerce in building cross-border business connections.
“This summit provided the perfect platform for the NBCC to reiterate our commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economic interests globally. It also offered valuable insights into emerging global trends and how Nigerian businesses can strategically position themselves for growth through international partnerships,” Atelly said.
The NBCC delegation also engaged in several Business-to-Business and Group-to-Business meetings on the sidelines of the summit, building bridges for future collaborations in sectors such as infrastructure, financial services, technology, agribusiness, and renewable energy.
