Youths have been urged to embrace emerging technologies and advanced camera equipment to develop sustainable careers in Nigeria’s growing creative industry.

The call was made at the one-day Nikon Hybrid and Camera Summit 2026, organised by Nikon Middle East and Africa in collaboration with New Creation Worldwide Link Nigeria Limited.

The event, held in Lagos, focused on equipping young photographers, filmmakers and content creators with knowledge of modern tools and technologies.

Head of Sales and Strategy, Nikon Middle East and Africa, Akshay Talwar, said Nigeria remained a key market for Nikon because of the creativity and storytelling abilities of its young population.

Talwar noted that artificial intelligence, advanced cameras and editing tools had reduced technical barriers for creatives, giving them greater control over their work and allowing them to focus more on ideas and storytelling.

He said that the company was also providing equipment and technical support to selected creators.

According to him, social media, YouTube and other digital platforms had expanded opportunities for young filmmakers and content creators to reach global audiences.

He added that photography, filmmaking, wedding photography and digital content creation were generating employment opportunities, stressing that the demand for quality content would continue to grow.

The summit featured training sessions led by creative professionals, including Stephen Segal, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Femi Odugbemi, who shared practical insights with participants.

Managing Director, Nikon Middle East Freezone Enterprise, Dubai, Narendra Menon, advised Nigerian youths to take advantage of the growing digital economy by developing careers in photography, videography and cinematography.

He said the company organised the summit to expose young Nigerians to emerging technologies and demonstrate how Nikon and RED products could support professional content creation.

Menon noted that young people were increasingly consuming and producing video content, making it necessary to equip them with the knowledge and tools required to create high-quality, cinema-style productions.

He disclosed that Nikon was exploring partnerships with Nigerian universities and schools to provide training in photography and cinematography.

According to him, while establishing a full-fledged Nikon school in Nigeria remained a long-term ambition, the company could deploy local trainers and collaborate with educational institutions to develop students’ creative skills.

Menon also encouraged youths to see cameras as income-generating investments, noting that social media had created opportunities for creators to build audiences and generate revenue.

He said Nikon’s wide range of products catered to both beginners and professionals, while its long-term lens compatibility offered users value beyond their initial investment.

He urged young Nigerians to invest in quality equipment while continuously developing their creative abilities.

Creative photographer and artist, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, also advised young people entering the creative industry to treat their craft as a serious business, stressing the importance of originality, authenticity and sound business practices.

He said creative professionals must understand how to market, price and deliver their work while paying attention to production and delivery costs.
Amadi-Obi identified lack of knowledge as one of the major challenges confronting young creatives, noting that many were unaware of the opportunities and capabilities of the tools available to them.

He also encouraged experienced professionals to mentor younger practitioners through talks, social media platforms and digital workshops, saying technology has made mentorship possible for a much wider audience.

He said the initiative reflected Nikon’s commitment to its clients and the wider creative community, stressing that passion, determination and the desire to succeed should not be limited by circumstances or equipment.

Segal also highlighted the growing importance of hybrid cameras, which combine high-quality still photography with video capabilities.

The General Manager of New Creation Worldwide Link Nigeria Limited, Murukadason Chandra, said the company had been the distributor of Nikon products in Nigeria for the past 15 years.