Venue & Location: Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts (National Theatre), Iganmu, Lagos
Core Objective: Unlocking Nigeria’s 48 creative subsectors to create job opportunities and establish policy roadmaps supporting the target $1 Trillion national economy by 2030
To propel Nigeria’s rapidly expanding creative sector into a primary driver of national growth, the Bank of Industry (BOI) has confirmed a strategic partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for the upcoming National Summit and Exhibition on Orange Economy. Scheduled to take place from October 6 to 8, 2026, at the iconic National Theatre in Lagos, the landmark convening aims to convert creative talents and cultural assets into structured, sustainable economic opportunities across the country.
A Strategic Alliance to Scale Nigeria’s Creative Industry
The collaboration was finalized during a high-level meeting at the BOI corporate headquarters in Lagos, where the Managing Director of BOI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, hosted the summit’s organizing committee led by NIPSS Director-General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo. Dr. Olusi emphasized that the development bank intends to serve as a hands-on strategic partner rather than a passive event sponsor, aligning the summit’s activities directly with BOI’s specialized development agenda.
Highlighting BOI’s dedicated creative industry division, Dr. Olusi noted that no other development finance institution in Nigeria has funded the creative economy as extensively. Because creative industries serve as major catalysts for youth employment, BOI’s involvement ensures that participating entrepreneurs, filmmakers, fashion designers, and digital creators gain direct access to sustainable funding models and institutional support.
Supporting the $1 Trillion Economic Agenda
Speaking on behalf of the organizing body, Prof. Ayo Omotayo explained that the National Summit on Orange Economy stems from direct presidential directives charging NIPSS to deliver evidence-based strategies for expanding Nigeria’s gross domestic product to $1 trillion by 2030.
In preparation for the summit, NIPSS conducted comprehensive research across the country and internationally. Research teams divided into specialized groups visited key ministries in Abuja, evaluated operations across seven Nigerian states, and conducted comparative field studies across 14 nations (seven within Africa and seven globally). The empirical data and findings gathered from these investigations will be showcased during the October summit before a final policy report is officially presented to the President in November 2026.
Detailing the choice of location, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture and Managing Partner of advisory firm Bruit Costaud, noted that hosting the summit at the revitalized National Theatre in Lagos connects Nigeria’s rich cultural legacy with its commercial future. As the historic centerpiece of African arts since FESTAC ’77, the venue reflects the true scale and potential of the country’s cultural assets.
Furthermore, selecting Lagos—Africa’s undisputed capital for music, fashion, film, and digital technology—underscores the city’s role as a global innovation launcher. Encompassing 48 distinct subsectors, the Orange Economy represents one of the most dynamic segments of the modern market. By formalizing this sector, the summit partners aim to unlock millions of direct and indirect jobs, boost foreign direct investment, and establish Nigeria as an international creative powerhouse.
