NECLive, Frontyard Group map barriers holding creatives back in The State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026

The Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) has released The State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026, a data-led diagnostic report produced in partnership with Frontyard Group, an innovation and investment engine powering Africa’s creative frontier.

The report captures the lived working experience of 377 creative professionals across eight sectors, and it transforms the national creative-economy conversation from celebration to evidence by drawing on a survey conducted after NECLive 2025, themed Powering Africa through Creative Enterprise.

One of the major findings is that Nigeria’s creative sector does not suffer from a shortage of talent; rather, the system surrounding that talent is inhibiting its potential. Survey participants identified infrastructure, financing, payment rails, and training pipelines as the factors most critical to elevating their work.

The diagnostic marks another milestone in the conference’s history of shaping Africa’s entertainment landscape.

The framing reflects a position NECLive convener Ayeni Adekunle has made central to the conference.

“We’re witnessing an unprecedented moment where our creative talents are gaining global recognition and commercial success. However, we must now focus on building the infrastructure, appropriate policies, and business frameworks that will ensure this momentum translates into sustainable economic power.”

— Ayeni Adekunle, Founder & Convener, NECLive

That evidence-first reading is echoed by Tomiwo Ojo, Head of Content at ID Africa, who frames the report as the missing layer beneath Nigeria’s cultural success.

“We have never lacked influence. What we have lacked is evidence about the machinery beneath that influence and the honest conversation that evidence makes possible. A sector that can name its own constraints is a sector ready to be built. The talent has already done its part. It is time for the systems to catch up.”

— Tomiwo Ojo, Head of Content, ID Africa

This latest report backs that position with data spanning the full arc of creative working life, from daily obstacles to export barriers.

The full report is available on the NECLive website.