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

Nigeria’s creative industry has a talent problem—except it’s not the kind you’d think. The country isn’t lacking in brilliant artists, producers, or creative minds. What’s missing is everything else: the infrastructure, financing systems, and institutional support needed to transform individual brilliance into sustainable industry success. That’s the core message of a groundbreaking new report released by NECLive and Frontyard Group, titled The State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026.

Drawing from survey responses from 377 creative professionals across eight different sectors, collected after NECLive 2025, the report offers a data-driven reality check for an industry that’s often celebrated more than it’s scrutinized. The findings paint a picture of a sector bursting with talent but hamstrung by systemic failures—from inadequate infrastructure and cumbersome administrative processes to problematic payment systems and insufficient access to training and capital. These aren’t abstract industry buzzwords; they’re the day-to-day obstacles facing working creatives trying to build careers and scale their operations. Tomiwo Ojo, Head of Content at ID Africa, captured the report’s essence 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.”

What sets this report apart is its refusal to stop at diagnosis. Beyond identifying problems, it delivers concrete, actionable recommendations aimed at government bodies, investors, and private sector stakeholders—making it a practical tool for change rather than just another industry white paper. The talent has already proven itself on global stages. Now it’s time for Nigeria’s creative ecosystem to build the foundation that talent deserves. The full report is available for free download at nec.ng, accessible to anyone ready to engage with the real work of building a functioning creative economy.

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