Experts examine practical models to leverage Nigeria’s fast-growing creative economy

L–R: Senior Economist & Program Lead, Narrating Behavior Change Program, World Bank, Victor Orozco-Olvera; Founder/CEO, The Light Design Factory, Osaru Alile; Associate Professor (Research Track), Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Pennsylvania, Sharath Chandra Guntuku; Founder/CEO, Eden Venture Group, Fifehan Osikanlu; Managing Director, Norman Lear Center, University of Southern California, Johanna Blakely; Managing Director, BGR Consulting Ltd, Habibah A. Waziri; and Senior Digital Manager, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Bolade Ogunfuye, during the session titled “Entertaining Change: Next-Generation Media Partnerships for Social Impact and Gender Equality” held in Lagos.

Eden Venture Group, in partnership with the World Bank, successfully hosted the Nigerian pilot edition of Entertaining Change: Next-Generation Media Partnerships for Social Impact and Innovation.

Held as part of a global series spanning New York, Los Angeles, Abuja, and Lagos, the Nigeria sessions examined practical models for leveraging Nigeria’s fast-growing creative economy to drive scalable social impact.

Conversations focused on creative data use, AI-driven behaviour change tools, and investment pathways that unlock both social and economic value.

The convenings brought together leading voices from government, private investment, global development institutions, and the creative industries to explore how storytelling, technology, and strategic capital can strengthen education outcomes, shift social norms, and accelerate inclusive economic development.

As part of broader engagements that week, Eden Venture Group, alongside MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MBO Capital, also convened a focused Investing in Creative Futures roundtable with private investors and creative-sector executives.

This dialogue spotlighted visionary leaders and innovators, particularly women at the forefront of media, entertainment, and technology.

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Their contributions underscored the central role women play in driving cultural influence, shaping emerging markets, and powering the next generation of Nigeria’s creative industries.

“By aligning innovation, storytelling, and investment, we can build an ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and global competitiveness for Africa’s creative economy,” said Fifehan Osikanlu, Founder and CEO of Eden Venture Group.

“When research meets creativity, powerful tools emerge to improve development outcomes at scale,” added Victor Orozco-Olvera, Senior Economist at the World Bank.

The Entertaining Change Nigeria sessions form part of a broader global alliance linking AI, data, and creative storytelling to advance education, shift harmful norms, and promote inclusive growth.

Strategic partners across the global initiative include the Gates Foundation, USC Annenberg, Women in Film (Los Angeles), the University of Pennsylvania, Fable Advisory, BGR Consulting, Audacity Assets, SBB Media, and BellaNaija.

Iheanyi Nwachukwu

Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with almost two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.