Ekiti govt approves fresh funds for arts, creative practitioners

Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has approved a fresh tranche of funding for the Ekiti State Arts Endowment Fund as part of its Shared Prosperity Agenda.

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy in Ekiti State, Professor Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, who disclosed this on Monday while addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said the Arts Endowment Fund, though originally conceptualised during the Ibrahim Babangida administration, had remained largely unimplemented across Nigeria until Ekiti State took the lead in 2024.

Present at the briefing are the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Prince Adebanji Adelusi, Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture, Hon. Adewale Igbeda, and all other Directors of the Ministry.

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He noted that Ekiti remains the only state currently operationalising the initiative, which is designed to provide structured financial support for practitioners in the arts, culture, and creative economy.

Professor Ojo-Bakare explained that the fund targets a wide range of beneficiaries, including performing artists, filmmakers, content creators, fashion designers, and other stakeholders within the creative value chain.

He emphasised that the creative economy serves as the business backbone of arts and culture, and that supporting its players is essential to driving growth, innovation, and economic sustainability in the sector.

He stated that the fund, as approved by Governor Oyebanji, is intended to empower beneficiaries to establish or expand their enterprises, acquire equipment, and enhance their productivity.

“This intervention is designed to help creatives thrive, become wealth creators, and generate employment opportunities for others,” he said.

The Commissioner clarified that the support is not a grant but a loan facility offered at a highly subsidised interest rate of seven per cent. He noted that the structure is deliberately designed to encourage accountability and ensure the sustainability of the scheme.

According to him,” Beneficiaries will enjoy a six-month moratorium, after which repayment will commence over two years. This is a revolving fund.

“As beneficiaries repay, more creatives will have the opportunity to access support. It is a continuous cycle aimed at expanding the impact of government investment in the sector.”

He disclosed that the fund is being administered through a designated financial institution, which will oversee disbursement and repayment processes, calling on the practitioners to apply for them to benefit from the initiative.

In addition, the Commissioner announced that the Ministry will embark on a statewide sensitisation campaign using arts, culture, and creative expressions to address key societal issues.

The campaign, which he described as theater-for-development, would focus on voter education ahead of forthcoming elections, as well as flood prevention awareness.

He expressed concern over widespread gaps in voter knowledge, including improper ballot handling, low voter registration, and apathy driven by fear of violence or misinformation.

“We intend to use creative platforms that resonate with the people, drama, music, and cultural performances, to educate citizens on the importance of voting, as well as the correct procedures, in order to reduce the incidence of void votes and improve participation,” he said.

On flood prevention, Professor Ojo-Bakare noted warnings from relevant agencies, especially the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), about the risk of flooding in parts of the Southwest, including Ekiti State.

He lamented persistent environmental practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal in drainage systems and construction on waterways, which contribute significantly to flooding.

According to him, “We will take this message directly to the people, using culturally relevant methods to drive home the consequences of these actions and how they can be avoided. Our goal is to ensure a safer and more environmentally responsible society.

“Don’t forget part of our mandate is to use arts, culture and the creatives to help advance government policies and programmes; we are in order in these campaigns we are starting.”

He revealed that the sensitisation tour is scheduled to commence on March 28, covering the Central Senatorial District, followed by other districts across the state in subsequent days.

The commissioner revealed that the initiative will culminate in major theatrical presentations at the Ekiti State Civic Centre on the last Sundays in April and May,” where stakeholders from across the state will converge to experience and disseminate the campaign messages.“