Nigeria’s film industry (“Nollywood”) is widely acknowledged to be a huge driver for revenue and employment generation as it is said to be the second biggest source of employment and accounts for 1.42% of the nation's GDP.
However, the creative sector covers not just the creation of works that are mainly of a visual nature such as films and videos but also paintings, drawings, sculptures and photography as well as non-visual art forms including the performing arts and literary arts.
The rise of the internet and social media coupled with the growing body of digital (electronic) as well as multimedia forms has highlighted the evident need to identify common themes and priorities, which will resonate and have relevance to those making a living from, investing in or benefitting from all types of creative outputs.
This is a priority that extends beyond regulations to deal with the promotion or protection of tangible or intangible cultural property or heritage, that is, those skills, practices, knowledge, objects, sites and monuments, which have an inter-generational value and significance.
It should also not be regarded as being restricted to the protection of intellectual property rights such as copyrights and trade marks.
Rather it should be understood as comprehending business and legal issues, which are germane to the fostering of creativity, entrepreneurship development and the protection of legal rights including private information.
We need to encourage creators and sector professionals to embrace best practices and standards. This requires training and capacity building but not necessarily with a view to obtaining formal qualifications. The emphasis should be on gaining practical knowledge and information about how to improve business practices and minimize associated risks.
