In a significant move to bolster the creative economy in Cross River State, Fegho Umunubo, Special Assistant to the President (Office of the Vice President) on the Digital and Creative Economy, held a high-level meeting with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, at the Government House in Calabar.

The dialogue focused on the ongoing Cross River State Creative Accelerator Class and the state’s unwavering commitment to nurturing creative talent.

During the discussion, Umunubo highlighted the achievements of the initiative, which has successfully trained 100 creative entrepreneurs, equipping them with critical skills and resources to expand their business ventures. He further announced that select businesses from the cohort would be awarded N500, 000 grants to scale their operations.

“We are seeing incredible potential within the creative industry in Cross River State. The Accelerator Class has empowered young talents with skills that can drive economic growth.

This grant is a step towards transforming their ideas into sustainable businesses,” said Fegho Umunubo.

Beyond the accelerator program, the discussion explored investment opportunities in the upcoming Spotlight events in Paris and London—global platforms designed to showcase the state’s flourishing creative sector, rich cultural heritage, and thriving tourism industry to an international audience. The Governor welcomed these opportunities, underscoring the importance of international exposure for Cross River State’s creative ecosystem.

“The support from the Presidency for our creative sector is highly commendable. Cross River State has always been a hub for arts, culture, and tourism, and we are committed to providing an enabling environment for our creatives to flourish,” stated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State.

Great Ogban, Director General of the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRS, MEDA), also highlighted the significance of this initiative: “This partnership is a game-changer. We are building an ecosystem that nurtures talent, attracts investment, and creates opportunities for our creatives to compete on a global stage.”

MEDA, a key partner in the creative industry, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the transformative power of strategic investment in the sector.

“Creativity is a major driver of economic transformation. What we are witnessing in Cross River State is the intentional development of a thriving creative economy, and that is something to be celebrated.”

With the Governor’s full backing and the continued engagement of key stakeholders, this initiative is set to position Cross River State as a leading force in Nigeria’s creative economy.