AFRIMA boss Mike Dada delivered a bold critique of Nigeria’s creative ecosystem, calling for greater unity and a return to the industry’s grassroots roots.
The creative entrepreneur made this charge while speaking on a panel at the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit held on Tuesday, August 12.
“The people, not the government, built the movie and music industry, which we’re so proud of today,” Dada stated, highlighting the grassroots efforts and entrepreneurial spirit that have propelled these sectors forward despite limited official support.
He emphasised that collaboration among creatives is lacking, especially between the country’s two most successful cultural exports, film and music.
“The creatives should come together. We don’t really work together; we like to work outside of each other. For example, the music and film industry, the two biggest exports, don’t formally work together. All they do is to do yanga to each other.”
Turning to the issue of funding and investment, Dada acknowledged the complexity of the landscape.
“When you look at the landscape of funding, investment, and capital, it’s a difficult terrain, and it’s also not difficult depending on how you look at it.”
Before concluding his remarks, Dada issued a pointed reminder about the industry’s origins: “One thing I would say before I drop the mic is that it seems the music industry and movie industry in Nigeria have forgotten where they are coming from, I mean, the identity.
These industries, movie and music, were both built out of nothing by the people themselves, without government. And I think in the last five to seven years, they have been looking more to the government.” Mike Dada Said
