FG, Google To Empower 10,000 Youths

The National Council for Arts and Culture has pledged a partnership with Google the search engine giant to empower 10,000 young creatives, with a primary target of 2,500 youth nationwide.

The skill acquisition will be implemented through a dedicated programme by the Del-York Creative Academy.

This the Executive Chairman and CEO of the Del-York Group, Linus Idahosa, would bridge the gap between creative practitioners and corporate stakeholders.

He said, “By equipping young talents with industry-relevant skills, we are fostering a new generation of creative entrepreneurs and enhancing the capabilities of the corporate sector to leverage creative expertise for business growth.”

Google In a statement on Wednesday, said the partnership represents a key advancement in the Federal Government’s Creative Leap Acceleration Programme.

The six-week program will teach visual storytelling, and video production skills, such as “music, animation, content creation, live production, and audio” with some participants receiving additional in-person mentorship and creating a final project.

The initiative is aimed at promoting skills development, encouraging innovation, and strengthening public-private partnerships within Nigeria’s growing creative sector.

According to the technology giant, the collaboration will tap into its vast network and expertise within the cultural sector, while aligning with CLAP’s objectives of job creation and revenue generation.

This initiative the Manager of EMEA Music & Culture at Google SSA, Olumide Falegan, said, “Is about recognising and equipping the unsung heroes of our creative industries.

“By empowering these 2,500 professionals, and eventually 10,000 across Nigeria, we are investing in the future of Africa’s cultural influence and economic prosperity.”

Responding to the development, the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, said the collaboration is a testament of the government’s commitment to talent development.

She said, “By empowering our youth with the skills they need to excel in the creative industries, we are not only creating jobs but also positioning Nigeria as a global leader in cultural exports.”