By Adesina Wahab

LAGOS: The British Council has said it is supporting young Nigerians in the creative industry, education sector among others because of its long-standing objective of equipping young people with the skills, platforms, and confidence they need to make a positive impact on the society.

This was stated by the Country Director, Chilufya Besa, in Lagos at an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the Council in Nigeria.

Besa, who said in the light of this, the Council recently supported 20 young Nigerians to produce films that were being screened in international film festivals.

“Why did we adopt the theme ‘Amplifying the Voices of the Future? Amplifying the Voices of the Future” is especially fitting for our 80th anniversary in Nigeria for several reasons: Nigeria as you know, has one of the youngest populations globally, with nearly 70% of its population under 30. By adopting this theme, “Amplifying the Voices of the Future,” we are indicating our commitment to empowering young people, who are Nigeria’s future leaders, creators, and innovators.

“The theme also aligns with our long-standing objective of equipping young people with the skills, platforms, and confidence they need to have a positive impact. Our mission is rooted in education, cultural exchange, and creating opportunities steeped in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities. By amplifying young voices, we support global aspirations for a fairer, more inclusive future.

“Amplifying the Voices of the Future” is a thematic celebration of young Nigerians and a commitment to fostering their potential as drivers of sustainable and impactful change. Today, we will hear from some of the people who have epitomised the value that can be gained from cultural relations.

“These people have used the platforms we have offered to influence their sectors and exemplify leadership greatly. They have brought innovation to their work and proven the possibilities in Nigeria if we are all focused on achieving a common good,” Besa said.
He stated further, ” In our joint efforts with the Nigerian government, educational institutions, partners, and funders (both in the public and private sector), we’ve also supported reforms that strengthen the educational sector—laying the foundations for future success and resilience.
“At the British Council, we have realized that people deserve opportunities that can provide better livelihoods and valuable connections facilitate these learnings. In Nigeria, we do this through our work in education providing training and capacity building initiatives to people in the arts, enterprise, society and education sectors. We also provide access to global opportunities through our exams work where we provide Nigerians with globally recognized professional and university qualifications right here in Nigeria. Every year, we reach out to thousands of students, educators, policymakers, academics, researchers, creatives and entrepreneurs in Nigeria with our work across these sectors.
Since our establishment in Nigeria, the British Council has worked alongside Nigeria’s leaders, educators, artists, and communities to create opportunities that resonate across generations. Together, we’ve empowered millions of people with skills, education, and connections that open doors and transform lives.These milestones underscore the strength of the UK/Nigeria relationship, which we are proud to support and nurture.”
In his speech, the Deputy Head of Mission, Simon Field, said the United Kingdom and Nigeria have a rich history and cultural heritage that has spanned several years.
“We are delighted to be celebrating the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, the British Council, today. I’m sure you would agree that 80 years is no easy feat!
“Since 1944, the British Council in Nigeria has been at the forefront of fostering connections, empowering communities, and creating educational and cultural exchange pathways that have shaped countless lives. This enduring relationship between the UK and Nigeria is founded on mutual respect, shared values, and the belief that by working together, we can overcome challenges and unlock the vast potential within both our nations,” he noted.
Field described the Creative Industries in Nigeria as one of the fastest-growing globally. “In the Creative Sector, the British Council has worked with hundreds of Nigerian artists and has enabled collaboration with their British counterparts, helping to showcase Nigerian creativity on global stages. This has reinforced Nigeria’s position as a leading cultural powerhouse, opening doors for Nigerian talent in the global creative industry.
“At the heart of this partnership are the stories of individuals whose lives have been changed by the British Council’s work. We are proud of the countless young people who have become employable, business owners, job creators, and agents of change within their communities through British Council-led programmes.”
As part of the event, panel discussions on “Unlocking the economic potential of young people now and in the future,” and “Enhancing youth voices in delivering effective and sustainable change” held with panelists, some of whom have benefited from support by the British Council in their areas of focus, narrating how they have been impacting their communities through their efforts.