USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry

By: Michael Mike

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday announced its latest strategic partnership with Ascend Studios, a creative-industry organisation providing capacity building, mentorship, social, educational, and economic empowerment to women and youth to propel Nigeria’s creative sector.

This partnership, according to a statement issued by US Embassy in Nigeria, will catalyze additional funding to strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning Nollywood industry with additional partners including Paramount Nigeria, Venture Garden Group, and renowned music executive Ralph Simon.

According to the statement, the strategic partnership labeled the Africa Creative Blueprint, will strengthen Nigerian youth with the skills and resources needed to compete in the creative industry and also elevate Nigerian creatives to the international stage.

USAID Nigeria Mission Director Melissa Jones in her remarks, said: “The U.S. government is eager to enhance Nigeria’s capacity as a leading player in the creative economy and encourage global partnerships. This partnership will create a stream of high-quality, commercially viable content that can compete on the world stage.”

The statement recognized that while Nigeria’s film industry has achieved global recognition, it faces structural challenges that hinder its full economic and creative potential. Key areas for improvement include expanding film distribution channels, enhancing production quality through advanced equipment, developing stronger screenwriting and story development practices, and reinforcing intellectual property protections. Addressing these gaps would enable the creative sector to capture a broader audience and support more sustainable revenue streams for filmmakers.

The statement said: “To address these challenges, USAID teamed up with the Nigerian and American private sectors to launch the Africa Creative Blueprint. At the core of the collective $3.5 million investment, the Africa Creative Blueprint will provide intensive training skills in TV production to 3,500 Nigerian youth and develop a skilled TV workforce of at least 200 youth to create a high-quality, music-infused 13-episode TV drama. The TV drama will be a powerful medium to convey social messages, promote positive change, and foster inclusive growth and equitable opportunity in Nigeria.”

It revealed that the training will take place across six Nigerian cities—Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Benin, and Asaba—ensuring wide-reaching access to this unique development opportunity.

It said the Africa Creative Blueprint is now accepting applications for the training programme and cast/crew member employment. The programme will select from directors, writers, producers, production coordinators/managers, editors, production designers, cinematographers, costumiers, assistant directors, actors/actresses, composers, sound designers, lawyers, accountants, and production finance professionals (including sales agents).

“We are honored to be selected as the recipient of USAID funding,” said Inya Lawal, CEO of Ascend Studios. “This collaboration represents a milestone for the Nigerian creative sector and opens opportunities for us to elevate African stories on a global platform. Through this initiative, we are building the infrastructure needed to develop world-class creative talent capable of transforming the industry.”

USAID Partners to Launch the African Creative Blueprint and Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Industry

Yobe Govt hails VP’s Office, NEDC for organizing 1st Batch In-Person training of 100 Teachers under ASSEP

By: Inusa Salihu

The Yobe State Government under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni has hailed Office of the Vice -President, Senator Kashim Shettima and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for launching the first batch In-Person two-day training of 100 Secondary School Teachers under the Accelerated School Support Education Program (ASSEP).

Besides, all the benefitting teachers are from Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Agriculture (STEMA) subjects.

Addressing the participants, the Yobe State Focal Person, Hon. Mulima Idi Mato, said, the gesture would compliment efforts of the present administration which is committed to transform or enhance good quality of education across the state, even as he urge them to pay attention throughout the training exercise.

He added that, governor Buni since inception declared state of emergency in the education sector, pointing out that, even in the 2025 Appropriation Bill which was recently presented to the State House of Assembly, a substantial amount of over N108 billion was allocated to the sector.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend the initiators of this laudable program aim to provide quality of education in our dear land.

“As we started the first batch training with 100 Teachers across various schools in the state, more teachers are to benefit from the next batches, as they are all expected to cascade the knowledge gained down for better teaching and learning.

“I urge all participants to pay serious attention throughout the exercise for the betterment of our teachers, students and parents/guardians in Yobe state”. Mato stated.

Declaring the programme open in Damaturu, the state capital, Personal Assistant Domestic & North-East Affairs, office of the Vice-President, Comrade Mahmud Muhammad said, the gesture which are to be in batches, is intended to cover teachers in public and private schools across the North East states of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa and Gombe.

Muhammad also said, the exercise is inline with the education revitalization commitment under the supervision of the Senior Special Assistant on Regional
Development to the President, office of the Vice President, Dr. Mariam Masha with support from NEDC and Project Implementation Team (PIT).

“I am honored to recognize Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Visionary Leadership in Launching the Accelerated School Support Education Program (ASSEP), which aim to transform education quality in the northeast region in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and education revitalization commitment under the supervision of the Senior Special Assistant on Regional Development to the President, office of the Vice President, Dr. Mariam Masha with support from the NEDC and PIT.

“May I on behalf of the Project Implementation Team (PIT) use this medium to commend the continuous efforts of the Yobe State Government under the dynamic leadership of Hon. Mai Mala Buni, in uplifting the standard of education in the state.

” To our hardworking teachers, your participation in the 1 -Million Teachers’ Black Belt virtual training reflects an exceptional commitment to excellence.

“This in-person training marks a significant step in skill enhancement, aligning our teaching practices with global standards to elevate educational quality and inspire students’ achievement.

“His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, underscored the importance of education in Yobe by declaring a state of emergency on Basic and Secondary education in his first inaugural speech in 2019. His vision aligns with the timeless belief that ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. (Nelson Mandela).

“This declaration has led to substantial reforms, investments in infrastructure, and an increased focus on training for quality education, ensuring that our youth are equipped for success.

“As we evaluate the impact of this training through student assessments and performance metrics, we are hopeful that Yobe will be part of the leading state.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to all partners for their steadfast support, with special appreciation to the NEDC and the MD/CEO Alhaji Mohammed Alkali for their essential sponsorship, which has played a critical role in bringing this program to life, which would help to shape a brighter, more prosperous future for the Northeast region”. Muhammad said.
Also in his remarks, the Team Lead, Mr. Gbenga Ojo said, the training will provide needed skills and knowledge for the teachers to enable them deliver lectures and reposition the education sector for a better, so that, students would be able to write reports, memos, design websites, speak good english and cope with modern realities.

Yobe Govt hails VP’s Office, NEDC for organizing 1st Batch In-Person training of 100 Teachers under ASSEP

Aftermath of Modi’s Visit: Nigeria Should Expect Rise in Already Existing Over 200 Indian Companies, Growth in $27 billion Indian investment, Indian Government Promises

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria should expect more Indian investment in Nigeria with the growth in over 200 companies presently operating in the country and increase in the present investment of over $27 billion in the nation’s economy by Indian interest, the Indian government has assured.

Addressing the media on Sunday in Abuja on the fallout from the visit of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to the country, the Secretary of Economic Relations at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi, said: “While Indian companies are very strong in the traditional areas of manufacturing in Nigeria, with more than 200 companies having invested $27 billion in the economy here, there are new areas that are being identified, which include, as we discussed, the agriculture part of it, particularly lentils and other things which are being considered as a possibility. Then irrigation services, seed, hybrid seed development, research and development on good seeds, climate-resistant seeds and other things are being considered so that that area can also come into focus between the two countries.

“So we talked about mining, we talked about various issues pertaining to small and medium enterprises, the skill development part of it.

“Already we have some experts who have been training for more than six months in SMEDAN over here, entrepreneurial development skills. And also through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation where we have been sending people to India for skill development, that also came into focus. So we would be considering all these things too, we are diversify the areas of our cooperation in trade and economic relations, as well as to strengthen our trade cooperation.”

He also revealed that India is interested in further investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, stating that: “There was a very good concentration of topic on oil and gas investment. Some Indian companies are already working on the CNG areas, which is the focus area of the President also. There are companies which are working in CNG city-wide network as well as setting up the outlets for CNG over here. CNG kits are being also sent over here so that it can be put in the cars and vehicles to use the CNG.”

He noted that on pharmaceuticals and medicine, there are nearly $4 billion of investment by Indian companies in the pharmaceutical sector here in Nigeria, and there is already existing eye hospitals of India in Abuja and Lagos, as well as another multi-speciality hospital.

He said: “I can also tell you that there is going to be a bigger hospital, a 300-bed hospital that has come up in Abuja, which will be open very shortly with expert doctors and technicians and others from India with modern technology. So that hospital chain would also be expanding itself into other geopolitical areas too.”

He said India, in agreement with Nigeria, looks forward to the reform of the United Nations Security Council, stating that there is urgent need to update the global governance structure to reflect current realities.

He noted that the existing structure, established in 1945, no longer meets the needs of the modern world and that significant changes are required.

Ravi highlighted the shared stance of India and Nigeria in advocating for a more inclusive Security Council, pointing out that both nations represent the interests of the Global South, which remains underrepresented in international decision-making.

He insisted that: “The world has changed significantly since the establishment of the UN, but the Security Council’s structure has not evolved accordingly.

“Nigeria and India are on the same page on the need for reform. We have to keep working on that in different forums to sensitise the countries on the need for our positions.”

The call for reform came as part of a broader effort by developing nations to secure a greater voice in global governance.

Ravi underscored the importance of unity among countries in the Global South, including major players like India and Nigeria, to advocate effectively for changes in the UNSC’s composition.

The UNSC currently has 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France.

However, despite having 54 member states in the UN, Africa lacks permanent representation.

The US recently proposed expanding the council to include two permanent seats for African countries, with Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt emerging as leading contenders due to their economic and political influence.

According to Ravi, the key to successful reform lies in collective action.

He noted that countries from the Global South, which have experienced significant political and economic growth over the past few decades, should have a more substantial role in international decision-making.

He said, “We need to build this understanding that there is a need for the UN reform and that is the fundamental. The reform is necessary and it has to be done quickly.”

Addressing the question of African representation, Ravi acknowledged that Africa has its own consensus on the need for reform.

However, he pointed out the complexity of aligning the positions of various African nations with those of other countries advocating for change, such as India.

Aftermath of Modi’s Visit: Nigeria Should Expect Rise in Already Existing Over 200 Indian Companies, Growth in $27 billion Indian investment, Indian Government Promises