Nigerian Young creatives in the digital economy: Assessing a National Dialogue outcomes
By Judith-Ann Walker, PhD World Creativity and Innovation Day, 2026, was celebrated in Nigeria, for the first time, with a focus on youth inclusion in high-level national policymaking. Friday, April 24th, saw 68 of Nigeria’s top young creatives in the country’s digital space facing off with about 100 of Nigeria’s top decision makers – directors, […]
By Judith-Ann Walker, PhD
World Creativity and Innovation Day, 2026, was celebrated in Nigeria, for the first time, with a focus on youth inclusion in high-level national policymaking. Friday, April 24th, saw 68 of Nigeria’s top young creatives in the country’s digital space facing off with about 100 of Nigeria’s top decision makers – directors, permanent secretaries and other top public servants in a National Dialogue on Young Creatives in the Digital Economy. The National Dialogue, hosted by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in collaboration with the non-profit, the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), created a virtual platform for young creatives to inform and influence policy recommendations, reforms and updates under consideration by the NIPSS Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48.
In 2026, the Presidency has charged SEC 48, NIPSS with the mandate of studying, analysing and making policy recommendations on the critical theme of national importance – Economic diversification and national development: Leveraging the Orange (Creative) Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.
The National Dialogue saw participants from NIPSS SEC 48 posing probing questions to young Nigerian creatives on the national returns on investment in young creatives, challenges and opportunities of economic diversification led by youth. Young creatives, on the other hand, lamented poor training opportunities to upskill in the digital economy; drew attention to structural funding and information gaps; and pointed to the absence of consultative frameworks such as the National Dialogue for shaping policy research and directions.
The dRPC’s Executive Director, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker referenced the Centre’s 20 years collaborating with NIPSS with the Centre serving as a gateway to connect NIPSS with invested stakeholders such as youth, women and their associations. The dRPC curated and presented data from the 2025 Nigerian Creator Economy Report, showing that 32% of creators earn primarily from digital products & services; another 32% creatives relied on brand partnerships & sponsored content for earnings; and on TikTok alone, over 6.3 million Nigerian creators are building communities and monetising influence. The creative economy is projected to contribute $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030 and to create over three million new jobs. The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro Federal Ministry of Youth Development, represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Mr. Anthony Chukwuka, challenged young creatives to remain engaged. Professor Ayo Omotayo, the Director General, NIPSS, represented by Professor Musa Umar closed the National Dialogue with a promise of continuing consultation with the Young Creatives Network brought together by the development Research and Projects Centre.
Walker is the Executive Director at the dRPC, Abuja and can be reached at [email protected]