FirstBank backs creative summit, partnering with NLNG and Shell to support Nigeria’s creative economy through the maiden QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit

FirstBank backs creative summit in a bold partnership with Mighty Media Plus Network Limited for the first edition of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.

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The event, scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, will gather stakeholders from across the creative, investment, and policy sectors.

Also lending support to the summit are Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and Shell Nigeria, both longstanding champions of innovation, education, and national development.

Announcing the partnerships, Olumide Iyanda, Chief Executive Officer of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, said the involvement of First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores its continued dedication to advancing the nation’s creative industries.

“FirstBank’s support is a reaffirmation of its long-standing commitment to promoting the creative economy,” he stated.

“Through First@arts, the bank has become a reliable partner to talents, institutions, and organisations working to grow Nigeria’s cultural assets.”

FirstBank backs creative summit through its First@arts initiative, which has helped finance and showcase some of Nigeria’s most influential cultural productions.

The platform supports creatives across the value chain with funding, advisory services, and professional exposure.

FirstBank’s artistic footprint includes high-profile collaborations with the British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park, and Terra Kulture.

FirstBank’s support is a reaffirmation of its long-standing commitment to promoting the creative economy.

It has also supported events and productions such as The Headies Awards, Lagos International Theatre Festival, The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq, Kurunmi, Eni Ogun, and Oke Langbodo.

Iyanda commended NLNG’s role in elevating literary and scientific excellence.

He highlighted the company’s Nigeria Prize for Literature, Nigeria Prize for Science, and Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism—all worth up to USD100,000—as critical tools for national development.

“NLNG has shown leadership by rewarding creativity and innovation in ways that impact both the literary and scientific communities,” Iyanda said.

The prizes remain some of the most prestigious on the continent, celebrating authors, critics, and scientists whose contributions strengthen Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural legacy.

FirstBank backs creative summit alongside Shell, which brings its record of investing in education and sustainable community development to the table.

Iyanda pointed out that Shell’s long-term support for educational infrastructure, scholarships, and ICT access is aligned with the summit’s overarching goals.

“Shell’s belief in education as a foundation for long-term progress aligns with our vision for the summit,” he said.

The summit, themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy,” aims to foster conversations around funding solutions for Nigeria’s creative industries. Participants will include investors, policymakers, creative professionals, and business leaders.

According to organisers, more sponsors and programme details will be unveiled in the coming weeks, as preparations for the August event continue to build momentum.

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The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is expected to serve as a landmark platform for actionable strategies that can reshape the financial landscape of Nigeria’s creative economy.