WATCH THE VIDEO HERE The Federal Government through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (FMACCE) has teamed up with Google to launch a training initiative aimed at empowering 2,500 young creatives across Nigeria, with plans to scale this number to 10,000. The program, delivered by Del York Creative Academy, marks a significant milestone in the FMACCE’s Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP), designed to drive skills development, innovation, and foster public-private partnerships within Nigeria’s creative sector. CLAP, spearheaded by FMACCE and executed by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), seeks to equip aspiring creatives with essential skills while fostering sustainable growth within Nigeria’s creative industry. The NCAC is leveraging its broad network and experience in the cultural sector to ensure the program’s success. By collaborating with Google and Del York Creative Academy, participants will gain practical training in music, film, animation, content creation, live production, and audio, all key areas in the creative economy. Speaking on the initiative, Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa-Musawa of the FMACCE expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration: “This partnership underscores our commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s creative talent. By empowering our youth with skills to thrive in the creative industries, we are not only creating jobs but also positioning Nigeria as a global leader in cultural exports. “This program aligns with the president’s Renewed Hope agenda, empowering our youth to drive innovation and contribute to economic growth.” Olumide Falegan, Manager, EMEA Music & Culture at Google SSA, highlighted the initiative’s importance saying: “This initiative recognizes the often-overlooked talent within our creative industries. By empowering these 2,500 professionals and eventually expanding to 10,000 across Nigeria, we are investing in the future of Africa’s cultural influence and economic prosperity.”