USAID, Ascend Studios collaborate on Africa Creative Blueprint to empower Nigerian youth in creative industry

Onome Amuge

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has initiated a strategic partnership with Ascend Studios, an organisation dedicated to empowering women and youth through capacity building, mentorship, and social, educational, and economic initiatives in the creative industry. 

The partnership is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s creative sector, propelling it to new heights, and contributing to the economic growth of the country.

This latest partnership is set to catalyse additional funding to strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning Nollywood industry with additional partners including Paramount Nigeria, Venture Garden Group, and renowned music executive Ralph Simon. 

Labeled the Africa Creative Blueprint, this strategic partnership is designed to strengthen Nigerian youth with the skills and resources needed to compete in the creative industry and also elevate Nigerian creatives to the international stage.

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. 

According to industry players, addressing these gaps would enable the creative sector to capture a broader audience and support more sustainable revenue streams for filmmakers.

To this end, 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.

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. 

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). 

Commenting on the development, Melissa Jones, USAID Nigeria mission director  remarked, “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.”

“We are honoured to be selected as the recipient of USAID funding,” said Inya Lawal, CEO of Ascend Studios. 

Lawal described the collaboration as a milestone for the Nigerian creative sector, opening opportunities 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,” she added.