NECLive & Frontyard Group Release New Report on the State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy

Nigeria’s Creative Economy Gets a Reality Check: New Report Reveals What’s Really Holding Back the Industry

Nigeria’s creative scene has conquered the world—from Afrobeats dominating global charts to Nollywood captivating millions. But behind the glitz and Grammy nominations lies a harder truth that’s finally getting the documentation it deserves. NECLive and Frontyard Group just dropped The State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026, a comprehensive report that moves past the celebration and into the cold, hard facts about what’s actually blocking the industry’s full potential.

Here’s the tea: Nigeria doesn’t have a talent problem. Never did. What we have is an infrastructure crisis. The report surveyed 377 creative professionals spanning eight different sectors following NECLive 2025, and the findings are crystal clear—the talent has been ready, but the systems supporting them are stuck in first gear. We’re talking basic infrastructure gaps, administrative nightmares, payment processing headaches, and serious shortfalls in financing and professional training. These aren’t abstract industry buzzwords; they’re the everyday obstacles keeping Nigerian creatives from reaching their ceiling.

Tomiwo Ojo, Head of Content at ID Africa, captured the moment perfectly: “We have never lacked influence. What we have lacked is evidence about the machinery beneath that influence and the honest conversation that evidence makes possible. A sector that can name its own constraints is a sector ready to be built. The talent has already done its part. It is time for the systems to catch up.” The report doesn’t just identify problems—it lays out actionable recommendations for government, investors, and private sector players to actually fix what’s broken. The full report is available for free download at nec.ng for anyone serious about building a sustainable creative economy.

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