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QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit to address funding, policy gaps in creative sector – Technology Times
As Nigeria’s creative industries continue to command global attention, a familiar question is resurfacing within policy and business circles: can the country build the systems needed to sustain its cultural momentum?
That question will sit at the centre of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit scheduled for August 11 in Lagos, where stakeholders are expected to confront the structural weaknesses trailing the sector’s rapid rise.
Organised by Mighty Media Plus, publishers of QEDNG, the summit comes at a time when Nigerian film, music and digital content are expanding their global footprint, yet industry players continue to grapple with financing gaps, fragmented regulation and limited institutional support.
The framing signals a shift in how industry gatherings are being positioned. Rather than celebratory showcases of success, platforms like the QEDNG summit are increasingly being used to interrogate the fundamentals of growth, from funding and policy to market access.
For Olumide Iyanda, publisher of QEDNG and convener of the summit, the growing visibility of Nigerian creatives has outpaced the frameworks needed to support them.
“Nigeria’s creative sector has grown in visibility, but the structures that support it are still evolving. The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is part of the effort to bring clarity, direction and serious engagement to that growth,” he says.
The framing signals a shift in how industry gatherings are being positioned. Rather than celebratory showcases of success, platforms like the QEDNG summit are increasingly being used to interrogate the fundamentals of growth, from funding and policy to market access.
Iyanda suggests that the intention is to push conversations toward implementation.
“This summit is designed as a meeting point for ideas, influence and execution. It is not just about conversations, but about outcomes that strengthen the creative economy,” he says.
That emphasis reflects a broader concern within the sector: while Nigerian creatives are winning global audiences, the domestic ecosystem has yet to fully translate that success into structured economic value.
At its inaugural edition, the summit drew participation from industry figures including Udeme Ufot and Nkiru Balonwu, alongside creatives such as Kunle Afolayan and Mike Dada. Their contributions, Iyanda notes, helped establish the tone for more rigorous engagement around the creative economy.
“The first edition showed that there is strong interest in serious engagement around the creative economy. We had contributions from experienced voices who helped set the tone for the kind of platform we are building,” he says.
The 2026 edition is expected to deepen that engagement, with discussions planned around innovation, funding models, growth strategies and the global positioning of Nigerian talent. Organisers are also expanding participation to include a wider mix of policymakers, entrepreneurs and emerging creatives, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of the industry.
Beyond the immediate event, the longer-term ambition is to build a platform that shapes both policy and practice in the sector.
“Our goal is to build a platform that remains useful over time, one that documents progress, connects stakeholders and contributes meaningfully to policy and practice,” Iyanda says.
As Nigeria looks to convert cultural influence into economic strength, the conversations in Lagos may offer an early indication of whether the industry is ready to move from momentum to maturity.
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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to remain calm, assuring that the country currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The Director-General of NCDC, Jide Idris, gave the assurance during a media briefing on Friday in Lagos.
The briefing provided updates on the country’s preparedness and response efforts following outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Mr Idris said that since confirmation of the outbreaks in the region, the NCDC had intensified preparedness activities nationwide to ensure Nigeria remained ready to rapidly detect, investigate, contain and respond to any potential importation of the disease.
He explained that the agency had conducted a comprehensive dynamic risk assessment, which classified the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high.
According to him, the assessment reflects increasing regional transmission, international travel and population movement, porous borders, and the potential for delayed recognition because Ebola symptoms may resemble those of malaria and Lassa fever.
“As I speak, there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria,” he said.
“While there are currently no widely available licensed vaccines or approved treatments specifically for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus.
“Experience from previous outbreaks has demonstrated that early detection, rapid isolation, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication, and effective emergency coordination remain the most effective tools for preventing transmission and saving lives.
“Hence, we encourage Nigerians to remain calm and continue to do their normal activities.
“Members of the public should obtain information only from credible sources, avoid spreading rumours and misinformation, and promptly report any unusual illness through established public health channels,” Mr Idris said.
Highlighting key achievements of NCDC in preparedness, Mr Idris said readiness assessments were completed in 549 health facilities across 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that the assessment of 17 designated treatment centres was completed to evaluate screening capacity, isolation readiness, infection prevention and control systems, healthcare workers’ protection, and treatment readiness.
Regarding training of staff and healthcare workers in the management of Ebola, Mr Idris said there was no mapped-out training, but managing Ebola, like every other pandemic, required adherence to the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) precautions.
READ ALSO: Ebola: WHO says DRC cases rise to 344, death toll reaches 60
The NCDC DG stated that there was a high level of surveillance at all entry points (borders) of the country, as the Centre was collaborating with the authorities who man the borders to ensure Ebola was not transmitted into the country.
According to him, preparedness is a shared responsibility, noting that while NCDC leads national coordination efforts, effective preventive and early response requires active collaboration among state governments, healthcare facilities, communities, development partners, and the public.
“Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014 through strong leadership, rapid detection, effective coordination, public trust, and collective action.
“Today, we are building on those lessons and strengthening preparedness even further.
“If Ebola should come into the country, Nigeria will contain it,” Mr Idris said. (NAN)
News
Super Falcons 2-1 Senegal: Oshoala Delivers Goal and Powerful Message on Kidnapped School Children, Teachers
Super Falcons striker delivered more than just a goal during Nigeria’s international friendly victory over Senegal on Friday, as the forward used the moment to spotlight pressing educational issues in the country.
After calmly converting a first-half penalty to hand Nigeria the lead against Senegal at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, Oshoala revealed a message written on her wristband which read: “Save The Teachers” and “Bring Back Our Children.”
The gesture quickly drew attention from fans and observers, with many praising the Barcelona Femeni star for using her platform to advocate for education and the welfare of children in Nigeria.
Oshoala’s strike came in the 32nd minute after she was fouled inside the penalty area, before midfielder Toni Payne doubled Nigeria’s advantage nine minutes later with a composed finish.
The Super Falcons eventually secured a 2-1 victory over the Lionesses of Senegal in the friendly encounter, which forms part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Senegal pulled one goal back late in the game through Sokhna Nogaye, but Nigeria held firm to seal the win in front of the home supporters in Ikenne.
Beyond the result, Oshoala’s post-goal message became one of the defining moments of the match, highlighting concerns over the state of kidnapping of School children across in Oyo State.
A goal and a message — Oshoala once again showed her passion for making an impact both on and off the pitch.
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