The United Kingdom has expressed its commitment to boost the partnership between the British and the Nigerian creative industries, recognising the sector as a global “cultural powerhouse.”

Making this assertion during a tour of Lagos-based world-class audio-visual facility, Ogidi Studios, Lekki, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly MP, stressed the immense impact of the creative industry on the nation’s economy.

At a special interaction during his visit with key players, along the music business value chain, the envoy particularly highlighted the global influence of the Nigerian pop music culture otherwise known as Afrobeats.

Also, at a special cocktail event with creative industry leaders at the residence of the British High Commissioner, Cleverly set in motion preparations for a most robust interaction between the two countries at a side event at the UK-Nigerian Investment Summit slated for April 2024.

He disclosed that the creative industries are turbo-charging the economies in both the UK and Nigeria, adding that in the UK, the industry is a huge success story contributing £108 billion to the economy yearly.

“Nigeria’s success is interwoven with the UK’s future success. That is why I am here to build long-term future-focused mutually beneficial partnerships. I want to make sure that Nigeria’s talents are showcased in the UK, and it is already happening.

“I was reminded that Wizkid sold out the London O2 Arena within 12 minutes, and Burna Boy became the first African artiste to sell out a US stadium event. Nigeria is making it happen. It is a cultural powerhouse,” Cleverly said.

“One of the things that were raised when I visited Ogidi Studios was making sure that there is a significant degree of representation for the creative industries, and I have decided to lay a down payment, this is just a start and not the totality. I have asked Mo Abudu to be part of the showcase of Africa’s creative industries at the British-Africa Investment Summit in the spring of next year.

“This is not the job for one person; this is about making sure that she is a conduit for ideas. If you have got ideas, please share with her, or the British High Commission. Make sure that your ideas about how the United Kingdom can funnel investment into the creative industry in the way it was articulated at Ogidi Studios during my engagement with stakeholders so that everybody within the ecosystem such as distribution, marketing, artiste, and production has an opportunity to share in the wealth that is generated by the talent in this country,” he added.

On his part, the host and Group Chief Executive Officer of The Temple Company, and Ogidi Studios, Idris Olorunnimbe, said: “Hosting a top diplomat requires significant effort. Following numerous meetings, careful vetting, and obtaining both local and foreign clearances, we proudly welcomed the United Kingdom Foreign Minister to Ogidi Studios. He concurred that we are indeed world-class. Well done to my team.”

“It was an immense pleasure for us at the Temple Company to host a special interactive session between the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, Rt. Hon. James Cleverly MP with prominent stakeholders from the Nigerian Creative Industry. The Temple team, led by our amiable chairman, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, welcomed our esteemed guest.

“This visit offered a chance to showcase Nigeria’s state-of-the-art infrastructure for creative talents, as well as our capability to produce world-class entertainment at Ogidi Studios. Rt. Hon. Cleverly was thoroughly impressed with our facilities, even joining in to drop some bars with two of Nigeria’s greatest talents, Bisola Aiyeola, and Don Jazzy. We look forward to a promising future for the Nigerian entertainment industry as we continue to foster our relationship with the UK government in this vital sector,” he added.

In Cleverly’s entourage were the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, and Chim Chalemera, the Country Director UK Department for Business and Trade among others.

The Ogidi Studios session was moderated by Obi Asika,