By Muhyideen Jimoh

‎The Ministries of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Women Affairs have pledged to collaborate with Tekira Africa to empower women and boost the creative economy.
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‎Tekira Africa, founded by renowned photojournalist Bayo Omoboriowo is a creative industry solution provider that empowers creative talents scale into global enterprises.
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‎Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, made the commitment Tuesday in Abuja during the official launch of the Tekira Africa initiative.
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‎She described the platform as a game-changer capable of reshaping the continent’s creative landscape, if properly supported and scaled.
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‎”I am honoured to join you today for the official launch of Tikera Africa, a critically important initiative poised to transform Africa’s creative economy.”
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‎Musawa noted that the initiative builds on proven models like MADhouse by Tekira, which incubates emerging creatives with mentorship, funding, and global exposure.
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‎”Tikera Africa emerges at a pivotal moment. It builds on impactful initiatives such as MADhouse by Tikera, which has already incubated trailblazing creative incubator programmes.”
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‎The minister called for deeper collaboration across sectors to ensure such initiatives thrive and scale effectively.
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‎”As a ministry, we commit to scaling access to creative residencies, training hubs, and enterprise support.”
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‎”We are committed to championing artisans and ensuring their work is both culturally celebrated and economically sustainable.”
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‎”So Tikera Africa is more than a launch, it is a starting point. Together, we can reimagine an African ecosystem where education, craftsmanship, and creative enterprise are inseparable pillars of development.”

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‎Also speaking, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, launched a women-led artisanship initiative under Tikera, highlighting Nigerian women’s entrepreneurial strength.
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‎”Today, as we launch Tikera Africa and unveil a Woman-Led Artisanship Initiative, we are not starting a conversation; we are advancing a revolution. I want to commend the vision behind this innovation.”
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‎”It is indeed Women O’Clock, in Nigeria and the world must keep up. It is a pointer that women are the innovators in our markets, the leaders in our boardrooms, and the guardians of our homes.”
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‎She emphasized that placing women at the heart of a $1 trillion creative economy goal is both strategic and essential.
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‎”Tikera Africa’s Woman-Led Artisanship Initiative embodies what we stand for; dignity in skilled work, preservation of heritage crafts, and the unlocking of new markets for women.”
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‎”But this cannot be the work of one organisation. I call on all stakeholders; government, private sector, and development partners, to invest in women not as charity, but as a smart economic strategy.”
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‎Founder Bayo Omoboriowo said Tekira Africa is built as a hub for Culture, Creative, and Media Industry (CCMI) to accelerate Africa’s creative future.
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‎Omoboriowo, a former official photographer to President Muhammadu Buhari, stressed the need to merge creativity with enterprise.
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‎”The goal for us is there is a huge gap between the craft in itself and enterprise. And for us at Tekira Africa, we need to link the bridge, connect the bridge. So we say we are the bridge between the passion and enterprise.”
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‎He reiterated the organisation’s readiness to partner with public and private actors to foster sustainable growth in the sector.
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‎Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr John Momoh (Chairman/CEO, Channels Television), expressed the board’s commitment to the Tekira vision.
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‎”We have a unique opportunity to shape the future of Africa’s creative industries. Tikera Africa will remain a beacon of innovation and a powerful enabler for talent across the continent.”
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‎The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was graced by top government officials, industry leaders, academics, cultural ambassadors, and creatives.(NAN)
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza