The Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), in partnership with Frontyard Group, has released The State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026.
This comprehensive, data-led diagnostic report transforms the national conversation surrounding Nigeria’s creative economy from mere celebration to hard evidence, mapping the exact structural barriers currently inhibiting the sector’s explosive potential.
Capturing the lived working experiences of 377 creative professionals across eight sectors, the report draws on an extensive survey gathered in the weeks following NECLive 2025. It spans the full arc of the creative working life, analysing everything from daily operational obstacles to international export barriers.
A central, unambiguous revelation of the 2026 report is that a shortage of talent does not hold back Nigeria’s creative sector. Rather, the ecosystem and machinery surrounding that talent are fundamentally restricting its growth.
Survey participants identified critical roadblocks limiting their ability to scale. These include Basic Infrastructure Deficits, Administrative Burden, Friction in Payment Rails, and Deficient Financing & Training, among others.
“We have never lacked influence. What we have lacked is evidence about the machinery beneath that influence and the honest conversation that evidence makes possible. A sector that can name its own constraints is a sector ready to be built. The talent has already done its part. It is time for the systems to catch up, says Tomiwo Ojo, head of content at ID Africa.
This report moves the conversation from dialogue to a set of clear, actionable recommendations for the government, investors, and the private sector, marking another significant milestone in NECLive’s long history of shaping Africa’s entertainment landscape.
The State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026 is now available for download to the public, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
