A national creative industries mobilisation for early childhood development and family well-being is being spearheaded by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) and Ogidi Studio.

The initiative, titled, Naija Made Early: Entertainers for Nigerian Children, convened a high-powered assembly of policymakers in the creative sector, filmmakers, musicians and others at Ogidi, Lekki area of Lagos State to address a critical developmental gap.

Despite this reality, available data show that only 43 per cent of Nigerian children aged three to four meet basic developmental milestones, signalling a foundational deficit that experts say must be corrected through national mobilisation.

Director-General of CBAAC, Aisha Adamu Augie, emphasised that early childhood development is a core pillar of economic strategy, noting that every penny invested in high-quality early programmes yields returns and reduced remedial health costs.
She said ancestors never separated art from life or culture from child-rearing. All across Africa, from the Yoruba Ile-Ife, the Igbo Uli traditions, the Hausa griot storytelling circles, the Akan Adinkra symbols, the Zulu praise poetry, the Swahili coast lullabies the first classroom was never a building.

She said African civilisation has always known that the first five years decide everything. Before the first missionary classrooms, Qur’anic school, or “before we knew about nursery of kindergarten, the people were already investing in early childhood development.”
She said they understood that the brain that would one day design empires, compose symphonies, or lead nations is wired between conception and age five.

“Why our stories were deliberately crafted to shape character, courage, empathy, and intellect from the cradle through songs, proverbs and storytelling. Today, that ancient wisdom meets a modern crisis.

“Nigeria carries one of the highest burdens of stunting in the world. Only 43.5 per cent of our children reach age-appropriate developmental milestones. Only 37 per cent attend early childhood programmes. These statistics show we have stolen futures. They are the reason why, as a country, marching toward 375 million people by 2050, we risk turning our greatest asset into a liability instead of the demographic dividend Africa has waited for.

“But here is where African civilisation rises again. The same creative genius that gave the world Things Fall Apart, Lion King rhythms, Afrobeats that make the globe dance, Nollywood that tells our stories louder than any government broadcast — that same genius is now being summoned, as entertain, but also to heal, teach, and rebuild the Nigerian and African child.

“This is why CBAAC, the institutional memory of Black and African Arts and Civilisation, has proudly partnered with Ogidi Studios and the World Bank to host this historic gathering. Because we know that culture cannot remain a decoration; it is the most powerful behaviour-
change and social norms transformation instrument ever invented. Music reaches where policy cannot. Animation speaks to the heart where statistics fail. Comedy disarms resistance where lectures bore. Storytelling reframes what it means to be a responsible father, a nurturing mother, a protective community.”

Speaking on the partnership, Head of Legal at Ogidi Studio,Yemisi Falaye, said: “The studio is built to cater for creativity amongstwhich is animation, the easiest way to reach children. We are in tune with family friendly content.”

Director Research and Publication, CBAAC, Adesegun Dosumu, said “civilisation begins from childhood, and investing in early childhood is the best in achieving the in promoting creative economy. We believe that by investing in the program, we will be starting from the scratch.”