The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE) has reaffirmed its strategic cultural alliance with the British Council, setting the stage for a dynamic year of collaboration aimed at growing Nigeria’s creative economy and global cultural footprint.

During a high-level visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the British Council’s Country Director in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, led a delegation to meet with the Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa. The dialogue was focused on scaling up joint efforts in cultural diplomacy, youth development, and sector-wide growth.

“The creative sector is not only the heartbeat of our cultural identity, it is one of our strongest economic assets,” said Minister Musawa. “We are proud to work closely with partners who understand the urgency and the potential of this moment, and who are committed to helping us unlock it fully.”

Key Initiatives Set for 2025 Rollout

During the meeting, Kesiena Harry, Head of Arts & Culture at the British Council Nigeria, announced a series of high-impact initiatives designed to nurture Nigerian creatives and connect them to international platforms.

Among the flagship projects:

Film Lab Africa – Story Lab Edition

This accelerator-to-showcase programme will support upcoming filmmakers through training, mentorship, and funding. New features for 2025 include:

A writers’ residency

Development support for episodic content

Grants for producing TV pilots

These additions aim to deepen engagement between Nigeria’s film sector and the UK.

Creative Economy Week Nigeria 2025

Scheduled for September 11–21, this national event will feature:

Exhibitions

Talent showcases

Industry dialogues

Multi-city activations in Abuja (Sept 11–13), Lagos (Sept 15–21), Port Harcourt, Kano, and an international leg in London in October.

The Week is designed to foster inclusive development, boost market access for creatives, and drive intersectoral collaboration between culture, education, and technology.

“Nigeria is full of brilliance and imagination, and we are honoured to be part of the story unfolding here,” said Donna McGowan. “We are committed to working with the Ministry and local stakeholders to co-create inclusive platforms that resonate locally and globally.”

Policy, Data, and Strategy in Focus

Jemma Amachree-Broad, the Minister’s Special Adviser and Head of Strategy, emphasized the importance of data in crafting policies and programmes that are responsive and impactful.

“The sector is moving fast, and we must move with it,” Amachree-Broad stated. “Our aim is to design with precision, grounded in real data and real stories. This is how we ensure long-term relevance.”

A collaborative agreement between the Ministry and British Council is currently under review, with both parties expressing a commitment to aligning on shared goals and building structures that will uplift young cultural entrepreneurs and innovators.

Cultural Diplomacy for Global Visibility

The Honourable Minister reiterated the government’s aim to position the creative industry as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economic transformation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation and sustainable development.

“Our work is not just about programmes and policies,” Musawa added. “It’s about building a creative ecosystem where our young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead. Together with partners like the British Council, we can make that vision a reality.”

As Nigeria and the UK continue to forge deeper connections through culture, the momentum signals renewed optimism for artists, storytellers, and innovators across Nigeria’s creative landscape.

Popular Nigerian influencer and entrepreneur Priscilla Ajoke Ojo, widely known as Priscy, and Tanzanian music sensation Juma Jux have revealed they are expecting their first child together, just months after their high-profile wedding ceremonies held in both Nigeria and Tanzania.

The couple, who are legally and traditionally married, shared the joyful news with fans through a maternity photoshoot posted on their Instagram pages.

From Grand Celebration to Growing Family

Priscy and Juma Jux’s wedding was anything but quiet. Their union was one of the most talked-about celebrity weddings of the year, held with cultural splendor and glitz across Lagos and Dar es Salaam, with stars, media houses, and industry insiders in attendance.

The Lagos ceremony reflected deep Yoruba tradition, colour, and music, while the Dar es Salaam celebration embraced Swahili elegance and Tanzanian royalty. Both events trended for weeks across African entertainment media, with fans celebrating the unity of two icons from different regions of the continent.

Though the couple shared wedding visuals, they maintained a graceful boundary between public celebration and private bonding. Now, the announcement of their pregnancy brings the public back into their evolving love story — this time, as witnesses to a new life.

Iyabo Ojo Leads Emotional Reactions

Leading the wave of celebration is Priscy’s mother, Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Iyabo Ojo, who publicly blessed the couple with a heartfelt post:

“@juma_jux & @its.priscy, my darlings, I soak and cover you in the blood of Jesus. Your joy is permanent & your home is blessed in Jesus’ name Congratulations ❤️.”

Her excitement over becoming a glamorous grandmother didn’t go unnoticed. Iyabo’s fans jokingly dubbed her “Sexiest Glam Ma” — a title embraced by her colleagues in Nollywood.

Mercy Aigbe, actress and friend, wrote in Yoruba-English mix:

“Ore mi, Sexy Glam Ma loading @iyaboojofespris Ayo abara tintin! Congratulations my love …. Asokale Anfani lagbara Olorun!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️”

Meanwhile, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi added her trademark humour:

“I just want you to know that I am not over aunty alone but over sabi aunty aunty aunty.”

An African Power Couple Making Cultural Impact

Juma Jux, known for his chart-topping East African hits such as “Enjoy” and “Fashion Killer”, has built a loyal following across Africa. Priscy, on her part, has grown from being the stylish daughter of Iyabo Ojo into a fashion entrepreneur, digital brand influencer, and youth voice admired across Nigeria.

Their union represents not only a celebration of love but also a cross-cultural partnership bridging West and East Africa — a fusion of music, fashion, and modern family values.

Their wedding, already historic for its scope and elegance, now gives way to an even deeper legacy: building a family that many fans are already embracing as iconic.

Fans and Followers Shower the Couple with Love

Reactions to the pregnancy announcement flooded social media within minutes of the photo drop.

Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok saw waves of reposts with captions like “Africa’s favourite couple is growing!” and “From wedding bells to baby bumps — blessings on blessings!”

One fan wrote:

“They didn’t hide. They just protected what mattered until it was time. And now they shine together.”

Another commented:

“They gave us a wedding to remember and now a baby to love. Pure goals!”

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Priscy and Jux

Although they haven’t revealed the due date, sources suggest the couple is in their final trimester and preparing for the baby’s arrival between.

Reports also indicate that both are working on creative projects for post-delivery — with Priscy expanding her fashion line, and Juma Jux expected to release an intimate album inspired by love and fatherhood.

Conclusion: Love, Legacy, and A New Life

From a majestic two-nation wedding to the announcement of their first child, Priscy and Juma Jux have rewritten the African celebrity love story — blending tradition, glamour, and intentional privacy.

Their journey is one of cross-border love, family legacy, and modern African pride — and with a baby on the way, their story is only just beginning.

In a landmark effort to democratise access to credit for young Nigerians, the Federal Government has officially launched YouthCred, a bold new initiative under the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP). The programme kicks off with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as the first beneficiaries, setting the stage for what is being described as Nigeria’s largest youth-focused credit intervention.

The launch follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day address on June 12, where he promised that the initiative would commence in July 2025 and impact at least 400,000 Nigerians, including youth corps members.

Credit as a Tool for Transformation

“YouthCred is more than a loan program; it is a deliberate act of cultural re-orientation,” CREDICORP stated. “For decades, credit in Nigeria has been misunderstood, misused, or completely out of reach for young people. This initiative changes that.”

Designed to combine access to credit with financial literacy, YouthCred provides participants—starting with corps members—with digital credit education before they can apply for personalised and affordable loans. These loans cover a wide range of needs, from relocation and device purchase to training and small business funding.

“For the first time, young Nigerians will not only be able to access credit—they’ll understand how to manage it, repay it, and build trust with the financial system,” the agency added.

Institutional Collaboration: NYSC and CREDICORP Align

The rollout follows a successful strategic debriefing session with NYSC State Coordinators, during which CREDICORP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NYSC. Officers across all 36 states were trained on the YouthCred platform, enabling seamless implementation.

This collaboration reflects a shared national vision to deliver credit not merely as a financial service but as a transformative socio-economic tool.

The platform is now live at www.youthcred.com.

Structured Financial Inclusion Begins

To access the YouthCred facility, corps members must complete a short, digital credit education module. Upon successful completion, they can apply for loans that suit their personal and productive needs.

The broader goal, according to CREDICORP, is to empower Nigerian youth to “begin building a credit history from an early age,” a vital step in achieving long-term financial health and inclusion.

What Comes Next?

With NYSC members as the pilot beneficiaries, the initiative will next expand to cover employed youth and young professionals in entry-level roles. This phase will offer credit products tailored to the realities and aspirations of working youth.

Subsequently, the initiative will target youth-led enterprises, providing capital for startups and small businesses run by young Nigerians.

“YouthCred signals the beginning of a generational shift—one that recognizes that financial trust must be earned early and that the Nigerian youth deserve the tools to thrive,” CREDICORP said.

A National Movement for Financial Empowerment

Beyond policy and platforms, YouthCred is being framed as a national movement—a response to the call for dignity, economic inclusion, and generational empowerment.

“In line with CREDICORP’s mandate to democratize credit and deepen access, YouthCred is setting the stage for a lifetime of financial empowerment for millions of young Nigerians,” the statement concluded.