TheCable

Moses Anibaba, regional director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the British Council, says the creative economy programme of the council will boost entrepreneurship and create jobs in Nigeria.

Anibaba said despite Nigeria’s huge economy, a good number of its youths are unemployed, adding that this is what the programme aims to address. 

In 2021, TheCable reported that the British Council, in collaboration with Microsoft, had launched an e-learning platform to provide opportunities for young Nigerian entrepreneurs in the creative economy sector.

Anibaba said the course consists of three modules, including creative entrepreneurship, impact through creative entrepreneurship and creative economy policy.

“This programme is a selection of free and easy to access courses for aspiring and early-stage young African entrepreneurs, themed around the creative economy and social enterprise sectors which are important means both of offering livelihoods to marginalized communities but also as means to improving communities,” he said. 

“Nigeria has the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa and its fast-growing tech, film and fashion sectors have become a strong exporter of culture. However, 53.4% of the youth are unemployed. This course provides the tools for young Nigerian entrepreneurs to take employment into their own hands and showcase their culture and creativity. 

“The course consists of three modules: the first is ‘creative entrepreneurship,’ the second is ‘impact through creative entrepreneurship,’ and the last is ‘creative economy policy.’ Each module walks you through your entrepreneurship journey and provides you with key insight to kickstart your creative idea.”

He advised entrepreneurs and persons intending to start a business not to expect to have it all figured out at the beginning.

He said learners can access the courses through any electronic device, adding that they have been optimised by Microsoft and can be accessed even with poor network reception.

“The most enduring and impactful businesses have a purpose beyond just making money for oneself or getting by and you must be honest, test and be clear as to the purpose/why and vision for the business as you start off,” he said.

“You also don’t need to have it all perfect from the start, it can and does evolve and get refined over time, the more you research and work on the business.”

“The programme can be completed on a laptop, mobile phone or any other electronic device. Our partners at Microsoft have optimized the course website so that even phones with poor reception can access the webpage. As always, the British Council Creative Economy Team will always be on hand via email to answer any questions you may have.”

Persons who wish to sign up for the programme can do so here.