By Ruth Ononye

The Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) has called for greater investment and institutional support for content creators, saying the growth of Nigeria’s creator economy must translate into sustainable income and long-term opportunities for practitioners.

The association made the call at the media briefing to annouce activities planned for Nigerian Electronic Media Content Exhibition and Awards (NEMCEA)2026. The fifth in the series since the programme started, it is themed, ‘The Creator’s Economy Elevate Your Craft, Secure Your Future.’

The event, organised by EMCOAN, brought together media organizations, broadcasters, content producers, regulators, sponsors and other stakeholders in the creative industry.

Speaking at the event, the President of EMCOAN, Adeniji Omirin, said technological developments, including artificial intelligence, streaming platforms, social media and digital broadcasting, had significantly transformed the way content was created, distributed and consumed.

He said the expansion of the digital space had created new opportunities for creators but stressed the need to move beyond the pursuit of visibility and viral content to building sustainable businesses.

According to him, creators must be equipped with the knowledge, resources and structures required to protect their intellectual property, monetize their work and secure their future in an increasingly competitive industry.

The association also highlighted insurance and risk management as critical areas requiring greater attention, noting that content producers and media practitioners faced risks involving equipment, intellectual property, liability and business interruption.

The issue of Digital Switch Over (DSO), audience measurement and the future of Free TV also featured prominently at the briefing.

Representatives of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) highlighted the opportunities available through Free TV, noting that viewers could access about 100 channels without subscription through the appropriate decoder.

The commission also encouraged Nigerian content creators to explore opportunities to have their productions featured on the platform, describing it as another avenue for African content to reach wider audiences.

The conference also featured interventions from partners and sponsors, including LAPO Microfinance Bank and Standard Insurance Consultants Limited.

LAPO, which began its partnership with NEMCEA in 2024, also supported the 2025 edition.

Representing the Chairman of LAPO, the Head of Marketing, Lagos, expressed the organisation’s willingness to continue its relationship with NEMCEA and participate in subsequent editions.

LAPO further disclosed that it had held round-table discussions with stakeholders in the Yoruba film industry and was exploring the development of financial products aligned with the needs of practitioners in the creative sector.

Standard Insurance Consultants Limited, another partner of the program, also highlighted the importance of developing stronger relationships between the insurance industry and broadcasters to provide appropriate risk-management solutions for media practitioners.

Meanwhile, the organisers said the NEMCEA program would feature a Director-General’s Roundtable, bringing together major stakeholders in Nigeria’s media and regulatory space.

The roundtable is expected to examine issues affecting the industry, including regulation, content development, audience measurement and the changing broadcasting environment.

Other activities lined up include master classes, panel sessions, a content market and exhibition, and the NEMCEA Industry Awards.

The master classes are expected to provide practical training for practitioners in areas such as scriptwriting, production, directing and content distribution, while the content market will provide opportunities for content owners and buyers to showcase, exchange and market their productions.

The organizers also announced new award categories supported by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), including Outstanding Customer Service and Excellence in Payment Discipline.

The NEMCEA 2026 jury was also inaugurated at the event, with Patience Oghre-Imoho appointed as chairperson.

The organisers said the initiative was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s creative ecosystem through collaboration among content creators, regulators, investors, broadcasters and other industry stakeholders.

They urged practitioners to take advantage of emerging digital opportunities while building sustainable businesses around their creative skills.