The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration Ascend Studios and other private sector partners, have announced a $3.5 million investment to strengthen Nigeria’s creative industry.
The initiative, known as the Africa Creative Blueprint (ACB), aims to train 3,500 Nigerian youth in TV production and develop a skilled workforce of at least 200 individuals to produce a 13-episode, music-infused TV drama.
USAID Nigeria Mission Director, Melissa Jones, highlighted the significance of the initiative, saying, “The U.S. government is eager to enhance Nigeria’s capacity as a leading player in the creative economy and encourage global partnerships. This partnership will create a stream of high-quality, commercially viable content that can compete on the world stage.”
The program will address challenges faced by Nollywood, including limited film distribution channels, outdated production techniques, and insufficient intellectual property protections.
By tackling these issues, the project is expected to elevate the industry’s global competitiveness while fostering inclusive growth and social change in Nigeria.
CEO of Ascend Studios and the lead partner on the project, Inya Lawal, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “Through this initiative, we are building the infrastructure needed to develop world-class creative talent capable of transforming the industry.”
