OSAPDICE, Wema Bank support creative economy

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Creative and Digital Economy has collaborated with Wema Bank to unlock new funding opportunities and drive growth within the country’s creative economy.

In a statement made available to The PUNCH recently, the Special Assistant to the President, Fegho Umunubo, promised to replicate the successful Creative Fund model with Wema Bank, particularly in the area of YouTube content production.

Umunubo said, “The idea is to create a funding structure that supports digital content creators, further expanding opportunities for young, creative Nigerians.”

Also, the Executive Director of Digital Bank, Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku, harped on engaging in meaningful discussions centred on advancing creative industry projects.

Mabawonku said, “The depth of the ongoing collaboration has spanned across the following sub-sectors of the creative industry: film, fashion, art, and design.

Building on the success of other industry initiatives.”

The bank stated that the meeting also explored the potential for even broader interventions in the creative sector, which included plans to roll out fashion training programmes across Jigawa, Enugu, and Ogun States.

It added that another immediate action item was Wema Bank’s collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre to launch a business-focused course in Calabar, which would equip creative entrepreneurs with the necessary tools in strategy and branding.

It added that those programmes were set to begin deployment in the states, including, Jigawa, Enugu, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun States.

“Both Wema Bank and OSAPDICE are committed to building on the partnership, with a shared vision of driving forward initiatives that will strengthen Nigeria’s creative and digital landscape,” it stated.

It further mentioned the collaboration was aimed at offering practical solutions, and new funding opportunities, and to inspire the next generation of Nigerian creatives.

“The future of Nigeria’s creative industry looks brighter with this evolving partnership, and both parties are excited to continue working together to create sustainable growth in the sector,” the lender said.