Abuja Arts: What's Next? A SWOT Analysis

On 19 June 2020, I joined a gender-balanced panel of 8 creatives from visual, performing & literary arts, to do a SWOT analysis on the capital city's creative scene. Among the points I raised were the need for a revision of the Cultural Policy of Nigeria which is 32 years old and the importance of having a strong Civil Society voice speaking on behalf of the cultural and creative industries. 

About this Event

Nduwhite of IICD Abuja & Numero Unoma of The Nu Space jointly hosted a Zoom conversation on the viability of the arts in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city. The panel was gender- and age-balanced, with men and women, old hands and young guns, a good balance of energy and a holistic repertoire of experience.

The panel  discussed in pairs, the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats with which Abuja's creative sector is presented, each from their own unique perspective.

STRENGTHS:

·         Ngozi Uyah, Acting Director, National Gallery of Art, Abuja

·         Richard Ali, novelist, poet and publisher Parresia Publishers Ltd

WEAKNESSES:

·         Angela Onelum, Art Historian, curator and erstwhile gallerist

·         Ifesinachi Nwanyanwu, visual artist, envronmentalist and gallerist at House 33

OPPORTUNITIES:

·         Jemima Angulu, dancer and choreographer

·         Jerry Adesewo, founder and Artistic Director, Arojah Royal Theatre

THREATS:

·         Nneka Egbuna, Former UNESCO officer

·         Ishaya Bako, Film maker

At the end of the presentations, there were Q&A sessions.