Showbiz
British Council Partners FG in Building Futures Through Creativity
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The sophomore edition of the Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025 has official kicked off and the train will touchdown in five Nigerian cities and a British city courtesy the British Council and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
This year’s event is themed Building Futures through Creativity and it is designed to celebrate innovation, skills, and collaboration in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, and London, bringing together artists, creative entrepreneurs, cultural hubs, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and international partners.
It will run from September 11 to 21 across five Nigerian cities, before culminating in a landmark London showcase on October 11, a platform designed to spotlight diaspora voices, strengthen international collaboration, and forge new opportunities for global creative exchange.
The event series will showcase the power of creativity and culture as catalysts for inclusive economic growth, youth empowerment, and global connection, according to the organisers at the launch last Thursday.
The first edition of Creative Economy Week in Nigeria took place in 2023 and it was very successful, inspiring the commencement of the second edition.
Since its inception, the programme has expanded beyond Nigeria, inspiring Creative Economy Weeks in Uganda, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, making it one of the British Council’s most dynamic cultural economy initiatives in Africa.
The 2025 edition also comes on the backdrop of a strengthened partnership between the British Council and the Nigerian government, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year.
This MoU reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative economy, building international connections, and scaling opportunities for youth, women, and the wider creative sector.
The programme includes high-level policy dialogues and networking sessions with government leaders, industry stakeholders, and UK partners; masterclasses and workshops on film, TV, photography, music, fashion, and creative entrepreneurship; craft sessions in batik making, leatherworks, and fibreglass sculpting; creative pop-up markets and art showcases spotlighting Nigerian talent; and major conferences in Lagos focusing on women in film, creative technology, investment, legal frameworks, education, and the future of the creative economy.
Speaking on the partnership, the British Council Country Director for Nigeria and West Africa Cluster Lead, Donna McGowan, “For the British Council, youth employability and entrepreneurship are central to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, and the creative economy plays a vital role in making this possible. This year’s collaboration with the Ministry reflects our joint commitment to ensuring that the creative economy continues to drive jobs, innovation, and inclusive growth.”
Also commenting, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE), Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, said, “Nigeria’s creative economy is one of the most dynamic in the world. By working with the British Council, we are building pathways for our talent to thrive, not only within Nigeria but on a global scale. Together, we are truly building futures through creativity.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2019 single released by Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, CKay, Love Nwantiti, has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
This feat has made him one of the few African artists to reach this milestone and the first Nigerian solo act to achieve this.
The song has sustained a global appeal, with listeners from the United States, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom playing it in the last 28 days alone, a proof of the track’s staying power well beyond its viral peak.
This achievement places CKay in an elite group of African artists with billion-stream records on Spotify, which includes hits driven by collaborations with Nigerian artists, such as Drake’s One Dance (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), Future’s Wait For U (featuring Drake and Tems), and Rema’s Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), and solo song Water, by Tyla.
Love Nwantiti was released on CKay’s EP titled CKay the First. It began as a slow-burn masterpiece that captured a global audience. It then broke out by blending the grooving rhythm of Afrobeats with an emotional feeling and an entrancing melody, a sound CKay himself pioneered and coined as Emo-Afrobeats, fusing African rhythms with raw, heartfelt emotion.
The song, which translates to sweet gentle love in the Igbo language, communicates an intense desire for a love interest. Its journey from a homegrown Nigerian track to a cultural sensation fuelled by countless dance challenges, social virality, and international remixes is proof of the widespread power of its sound.
It remains a fixture on playlists globally, with over 3.9 million playlist adds and sustained streaming momentum across continents.
CKay achieved this historic mark with a solo, non-collaborative lead release by a Nigerian artist. This distinction highlights his unique vision and singular impact as both a writer and performer, making him a true torchbearer for the new generation of African music talent.
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