Felabration 2023: Airtel Promotes Need for Artiste Education in Nigeria’s Creative Economy

As part of the programme commemorating the life and legacy of Afrobeat creator, Fela-Anikulapo Kuti, the 15th edition of the Fela Debates was held at NECA hall, Ikeja Lagos. Themed "Who No
Know Go Know: Leveraging on the Global Rise of Our Creative Economy,” it
featured notable speakers from various sectors of the Nigerian creative economy.
Speaking at the Debates, General Manager, Digital Products and Innovation, Airtel
Nigeria, Oye Akideinde, delivered a vastly lauded speech that spanned several
pivotal topics such as the issue of limited education on the laws governing the
businesses of creativity. He highlighted steps that could be taken by the government
and practitioners to foster a more vibrant and rewarding creative ecosystem.
“Education empowers individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to
succeed in the creative sector. Going by this, the government and educational
institutions need to work on curriculum reforms, increased funding, infrastructure
development, teacher trainings and partnerships with international creative
educational bodies. By solving these issues, education in the creative sector will be
enhanced, fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem, and contributing to the economic
and cultural growth in Nigeria,” he said.
He further stated that there is a lack of awareness surrounding intellectual property
rights, emphasizing that some artists sign away their publishing rights for life without
even knowing it. There is an urgent necessity, he stressed, for improved education
on intellectual property so that young Nigerian creatives might avoid common
missteps and realize the full economic potential of their work.
To bridge the knowledge gap, Akideinde encouraged creatives to harness online
platforms for learning, underscoring Airtel's commitment to promoting digital
education across the entire creative sector.
“As a business, we have focused on education as a key area of our Corporate Social
Responsibility, and we have several partnerships to ensure digital literacy and
inclusion across Africa. One of such partnerships is our long-term Digital Education
Partnership with UNICEF that is accelerating the roll-out of digital learning through
connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms
across 13 countries,” Akideinde said.
He concluded by underscoring the vital role of all creatives retaining legal counsel,
advising that every opportunity for discussion with creatives in workshops or
conferences should involve a lawyer's input.