FirstBank, NLNG, Shell Support Inaugural QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit
In a strong show of confidence in Nigeria’s burgeoning creative sector, First Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria LNG (NLNG), and Shell Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the maiden edition of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy,” the summit aims to bring together content creators, investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to address the critical issue of funding within Nigeria’s creative industries.
FirstBank: Financial Muscle Behind Nigeria’s Cultural Capital
Announcing the partnerships in a statement on Monday, Olumide Iyanda, CEO of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited and convener of the summit, hailed FirstBank’s participation as a continuation of the bank’s longstanding support for Nigeria’s cultural and creative economy.
“FirstBank’s support is a reaffirmation of its legacy in promoting the creative arts through its First@arts initiative, which offers financing, advisory services, and institutional partnerships across the creative value chain,” Iyanda said.
Through First@arts, FirstBank has backed landmark cultural projects and platforms including:
- The Headies Awards
- Lagos International Theatre Festival
- The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq
- Kurunmi, Eni Ogun, and Oke Langbodo
The bank has also partnered with prominent institutions such as British Council, Terra Kulture, Freedom Park, and Duke of Shomolu Productions to amplify Nigerian creativity and heritage.
NLNG: Championing Literary and Scientific Excellence
Iyanda also applauded NLNG’s commitment to creativity and innovation through its globally respected award platforms:
- The Nigeria Prize for Literature
- The Nigeria Prize for Science
- The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism
With prize values of up to $100,000, these awards have elevated the profiles of Nigerian authors, scientists, and literary critics, reinforcing the country’s soft power and intellectual capital across the continent.
“NLNG’s role in recognising and rewarding excellence in literature and science speaks volumes about their broader vision for national development,” Iyanda added.
Shell Nigeria: Driving Social Impact Through Education
Shell Nigeria’s involvement in the summit reflects its ongoing investment in education, youth development, and social infrastructure. Through community-focused programmes, Shell continues to provide:
- Scholarships and grants
- ICT equipment for schools
- Educational infrastructure development
“Shell’s commitment to education and human capital aligns seamlessly with the summit’s objective to catalyse the creative economy through sustainable financing,” said Iyanda.
QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit: Bridging Finance and Creative Potential
The upcoming summit is expected to serve as a high-impact forum where innovators, financiers, regulators, and creative entrepreneurs will engage on critical topics including:
- Access to capital for creative enterprises
- Risk-sharing models for film, music, publishing, and digital arts
- Policy frameworks to support intellectual property and monetisation
- Institutional partnerships for long-term sector funding
Iyanda hinted that more corporate sponsors and ecosystem partners will be unveiled in the lead-up to the August event.
BRANDECONOMY INSIGHT: Creativity Needs Capital — Nigeria’s Private Sector is Stepping Up
Nigeria’s creative economy — spanning music, film, fashion, theatre, literature, and digital content — is a multi-billion-naira sector with global reach. Yet it remains underfunded, with limited access to structured finance, venture capital, and institutional investment.
The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit, backed by some of Nigeria’s most respected brands, is a timely intervention. It recognizes creativity as a serious economic engine — not just an art form, but an investable sector capable of driving jobs, exports, and national rebranding.
Bottom Line:
FirstBank, NLNG, and Shell are not just sponsoring a summit — they’re endorsing a creative revolution. As Nigeria searches for non-oil growth engines, the creative economy stands tall, and corporate Nigeria is beginning to match its promise with the capital it needs to thrive.
