UNESCO seeks cultural entrepreneurship education for young Africans

UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU) has disclosed there is a need for cultural entrepreneurship education for young Africans to foster economic growth and enrich the cultural industry.

Director of the institute and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, disclosed this while speaking at a workshop organised for young entrepreneurs by the institute at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Wednesday.

Addressing the audience on the theme, “Entrepreneurship Education on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Goods for Young Creative Artists,” Okebukola disclosed that the workshop was aimed at equipping young creative artists with entrepreneurial skills, to enable them enhance their creative output through digital platforms.

He stressed that nurturing these entrepreneurial talents would lead to the emergence of cultural ambassadors who could continually create and promote cultural assets, both locally and on the global stage.

According to him, it is vital to bring young Africans together to explore the diverse expressions of culture and to raise awareness about their value at local, national, and international levels.

He said: “This training equips artists with the entrepreneurial skills needed to effectively promote their creative works through the digital realm. It creates a cadre of cultural ambassadors who will not only produce cultural assets, but also promote them, both locally and globally, using the digital platform.

“This workshop has another important objective. To help participants understand that cultural goods and services transcend as mere commodities; they convey cultural identity, values, and meaning.”

Recognising that innovation drives competitiveness, economic growth, and social transformation, Okebukola highlighted the importance of empowering young artists to preserve cultural treasures and foster creativity from these cultural assets.

The convener and programme officer at the institute, Omotayo Ifesewa Shittu, urged the participants to become cultural ambassadors who will protect and promote African culture.