Two weeks ago, I met an Irish guy on the train and we got talking. We discussed work, trains, films, music and life. We shared series recommendations and said our goodbyes.
Yesterday, I ran into the same guy on the train and guess what? He remembered I mentioned I am Nigeria and he said he had tried Jollof rice, followed the endless debate with Ghanaians and is wondering what other Nigeria food to try (As a pounded and egusi Veteran, of course I recommended that). This is just a window into what culture, art, etc can do when exported right.
Your piece is insightful, kudos for wiritng. Let's hope someone somewhere who has the power to make decisions sees it and act.
Great article David. The work that various Korean cultural agencies have done to export Korean soft power over the past 30 years is an interesting case study, and other countries in East Asia are currently doing the same. Nigeria would benefit from a state-funded agency (e.g. Nigerian Creative Content Agency, Nigerian Film Commission etc) and having a presence at international film, TV and music festivals & trade events. There was some Nigerian presence at Cannes film festival this year, but most initiatives are pan-African and/or funded by the French government (for Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire etc) and as you mention, no two countries in Africa have the same culture.
OK sorry just realised there is already a Nigerian Film Corporation, but some countries are finding it's more effective to have an agency that promotes film, TV, music, arts, digital etc all together, like TAICCA in Taiwan.
Thank you for the additional insight, Liz. Yes, I agree that Nigeria will greatly benefit from a state funded agency. Perhaps a Nigerian Cultural Commission that is responsible for taking all these different functional aspects of culture and integrating them into a well-executed plan with a singular focus. I don’t believe pan-African initiatives are the way. Instead, it’s better if countries focus on their own cultural interests and commercialize some of them.
I really love this article, particularly this line: A nation of “scam artists” and “brash individuals” could very well become a nation of creative, smart, and enterprising people.
It leaves me feeling like you did not deny the current reality, but instead you showed how it can be transformed into an opportunity.
I also think this is an original and well articulated point and I hope we are able to turn the tides around real soon.
Interesting POV on exporting culture to other nations. Your point on how much the music and the film industry has grown over the years yet not with a grand plan, I find that really interesting.
There is also an obvious sell on why there should be a grand plan, and why we need us to take the bold step to centralize our idea and export our culture.
Two weeks ago, I met an Irish guy on the train and we got talking. We discussed work, trains, films, music and life. We shared series recommendations and said our goodbyes.
Yesterday, I ran into the same guy on the train and guess what? He remembered I mentioned I am Nigeria and he said he had tried Jollof rice, followed the endless debate with Ghanaians and is wondering what other Nigeria food to try (As a pounded and egusi Veteran, of course I recommended that). This is just a window into what culture, art, etc can do when exported right.
Your piece is insightful, kudos for wiritng. Let's hope someone somewhere who has the power to make decisions sees it and act.
Hello Ahmed. Thank you for your comment, it goes right at the heart and soul of this essay. I appreciate the insight.
Do I have your permission to share this comment on other platforms, please?
Sure thing man, go ahead.
Thank you!
Insightful as always. The solution is available to those bold enough to seize and run with it. Glad to have you back.
Very correct. Good to be back!
Great article David. The work that various Korean cultural agencies have done to export Korean soft power over the past 30 years is an interesting case study, and other countries in East Asia are currently doing the same. Nigeria would benefit from a state-funded agency (e.g. Nigerian Creative Content Agency, Nigerian Film Commission etc) and having a presence at international film, TV and music festivals & trade events. There was some Nigerian presence at Cannes film festival this year, but most initiatives are pan-African and/or funded by the French government (for Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire etc) and as you mention, no two countries in Africa have the same culture.
OK sorry just realised there is already a Nigerian Film Corporation, but some countries are finding it's more effective to have an agency that promotes film, TV, music, arts, digital etc all together, like TAICCA in Taiwan.
Thank you for the additional insight, Liz. Yes, I agree that Nigeria will greatly benefit from a state funded agency. Perhaps a Nigerian Cultural Commission that is responsible for taking all these different functional aspects of culture and integrating them into a well-executed plan with a singular focus. I don’t believe pan-African initiatives are the way. Instead, it’s better if countries focus on their own cultural interests and commercialize some of them.
Great to have Communique back. We missed it. Big Fan.
Glad to be back!
I really love this article, particularly this line: A nation of “scam artists” and “brash individuals” could very well become a nation of creative, smart, and enterprising people.
It leaves me feeling like you did not deny the current reality, but instead you showed how it can be transformed into an opportunity.
I also think this is an original and well articulated point and I hope we are able to turn the tides around real soon.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading and for your comment. You’re right, we have to acknowledge the reality of things without being defeatist about them.
I loved this article so much, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I wrote about it for work: https://risevest.com/blog/korean-wave-nigeria-cultural-export
Looking forward to your thoughts, but beyond that, I want you to know this was a superb and very original thought.
Thanks again for sharing.
This is really solid! Well done 👏🏾
Glad to have you back, David!
Interesting POV on exporting culture to other nations. Your point on how much the music and the film industry has grown over the years yet not with a grand plan, I find that really interesting.
There is also an obvious sell on why there should be a grand plan, and why we need us to take the bold step to centralize our idea and export our culture.
Thanks again for this read!
You’re welcome. And thank you for taking the time to leave your thoughts.
Like everyone is saying, I'm happy Communique is back. I hope this return is forever or as close to forever as possible. 🤭🤭🤭
Haha! I’m glad to be back. We’ll see, and I’m hoping it’ll be for a long time. That’s the plan.
This was very insightful. Thank you, David and I am glad you are back.
Glad you found it useful. Happy to be back!
This is a great article! I've always talked about exporting our culture through articles and literature, I'm glad I'm part of the movement.
Thank you very much. Yes, writing is a big part of exporting our culture. Big part.
so insightful
Happy you think so, my friend :-)