THE development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) has called for structured community building, robust policy advocacy, and practical support to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing young Nigerian creatives operating in the gig economy.

The call was made during an interactive webinar organised by the dRPC to mark the 2026 International Youth Day, themed “Young Creatives, Common Aspirations: Building from Dialogue to Community,” yesterday in Abuja

The virtual event convened young creatives, policymakers, and development practitioners to explore Nigeria’s creative economy and the youth policy landscape, particularly the incoming National Youth Policy (2026–2030).

Discussions focused extensively on critical issues such as visibility, intellectual property protection, and the long-term sustainability of the gig economy.

dRPC Director of Projects, Dr Stanley Ukpai, said that despite the harsh realities facing young people across the country, Nigerian youths continue to demonstrate remarkable creativity, resilience, and global relevance.

Therefore, “Today’s dialogue builds on dRPC’s commitment to supporting young creatives in the digital space and creating platforms where voices can be heard, connected, and transformed into collective action.

“We recognise that creative talent flourishes when young people have access to skills, networks, visibility, and supportive policy.”

He also recalled President Bola Tinubu’s consistent commitment to the creative industry.

Ukpai cited the 2024 International Carnival in Abuja, where the president identified the sector as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic diversification agenda. He further referenced the 2025 unveiling of the Nigerian Youth Academy platform, where the Federal Government urged youths to pursue their dreams with courage.

“Most recently, at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition at the Tate Modern in London, President Tinubu also said Nigeria’s creative industry is a strategic driver of economic growth and global competitiveness, calling for stronger investment and collaboration to unlock its full potential,” Ukpai added.

He explained that the webinar was an opportunity to translate such dialogues into actionable partnerships.

The webinar featured presentations from key stakeholders, including the founder of Nigerian Youth SDGs, Joshua Alade, who spoke on emerging national youth policies and their impact on the creative sector.

Furthermore, Ogochukwu Umadi of 20 Pounds Entertainment led an interactive session on building sustainable careers, highlighting strategies for cross-industry collaboration and income generation.

A major outcome of the webinar was the initiation of a formal creative network designed to provide a structured platform for collaboration, learning, mentorship, and collective advocacy. According to the organisers, participants actively engaged in a live poll to propose brand identity, leadership structures, and priority activities for the new body.

The event saw participation from government representatives, including officials from the Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development thus reflecting the growing institutional focus on youth engagement within the creative landscape.