Why Nigeria’s Creative Boom won’t Save us
Every year for Independence Day, I like to reflect on my experience of Nigeria, what I have seen work well, where we were when I was a child and where we are now. Of course, this reflection does not take too much of my time because, since I was born till now, the Nigerian government system has made limited genuine efforts in moving the country forward.
For this year, I weaved in my different interests, including politics, social systems, storytelling and fashion to share the National Cake story. With this story, I highlight that Nigeria will continue to fail simply because the “National Cake” doesn’t get evenly distributed.
We keep talking about how our culture and creative economy has become the new gold for the country, and everyone is now tapping into this industry. Even the government is making more efforts to support the celebration of our culture globally. NBS, 2024, currently highlights that the Nigerian cultural and creative economy makes up 3% of the economy and is estimated to rival oil and gas in revenue by 2030 (Destination2030Nigeria, 2025).
It’s interesting because when Fela sang Lady he highlighted how Nigerians wanted to be like the white men so much, to be “civilised” and “prim and proper”. In fact, in the early 00s, in high school, I got picked on a lot for my special interests in our own culture. I was called “local”, “too Yoruba Yoruba”, “bush girl” or even a “witch” for my fascination with the Orishas and other aspects of our culture. Now, many of us are finally seeing the value of our culture, which is beautiful.
However, here is the real truth. If we do not build solid systems to mobilise the country’s development. Our “new gold” will fail the masses just like oil and gas did. It has never been a resource problem; Crude oil, Gold, Diamonds, Silver, Culture, and Arts. It has always and will always be a systems problem if the government refuses to share the “National cake”.
What does a solid system look like? A solid system genuinely serves its people, not one that leaves them to rely solely on resilience. It begins with basic amenities for everyone: access to clean water, food, electricity, housing, and internet – the foundation of a dignified life in the 21st century. Such a system guarantees that no citizen has to beg for the bare minimum.
It is a system where healthcare functions properly, where an ambulance doesn’t run out of petrol when it’s needed to save a dying girl. Where child marriage is abolished, and every child benefits from equal opportunities, the right to free quality education. A solid system tackles corruption at its roots, not with empty promises but with transparent structures, accountability, and laws that protect the vulnerable rather than enabling the powerful.
A system that builds transport systems that move people and economies efficiently, supports innovation with infrastructure and funding, and creates a minimum wage that reflects the true cost of living and holds no space for child labour. A solid system is one where people’s basic needs are met so they can think beyond survival, so innovation, creativity, and progress can truly thrive. This is when we can start to act like the true Giant of Africa.
Because right now, while other nations are advancing in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy, Nigeria remains stuck debating tribal identity and whether the country even has a unified culture. The divide widens, and the system continues to fail. It’s not that we lack potential. However, our systems refuse to evolve to meet our potential. And until they do, our brilliance will remain undercut by dysfunction.