By Benjamin Njoku

The Nigerian International Film Summit, NIFS, recently launched the maiden Lagos edition of ‘Ubuntu Café’, a platform promoting networking and collaboration among Nigerian creatives.
The event, in partnership with the British Council Nigeria, Programme for African Leadership (PfAL), and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), brought together filmmakers, artists, poets, fashion designers, and other practitioners.
NIFS Founder, Ijeoma Onah, said the initiative places film at the centre of the creative ecosystem, connecting practitioners to opportunities.
“What we are trying to do is place film at the centre of the creative industry and help people in other sectors access opportunities within it,” she explained.
“Fashion designers, for instance, can showcase their work through films, while musicians can gain exposure by being featured in productions. These are low-hanging opportunities that can elevate people across the creative space,” she added.
Onah noted that the gathering was intended to create an informal platform where creatives could meet, connect and build partnerships beyond major festivals and formal events.
According to her, such interactions have reduced in recent years, and the Ubuntu café provides an avenue to intentionally bring people together to spark collaborations and business opportunities.
The event aimed to create an informal platform for creatives to meet, connect, and build partnerships beyond major festivals and formal events.
Donna McGowan, British Council Nigeria Country Director, said Ubuntu Café celebrates creativity, culture, and intellectual exchange while encouraging partnerships across art forms.
Speakers encouraged creatives to tell authentic African stories, embrace originality, and focus on local content. The event, held at the British Council Nigeria, Lagos office, featured exhibitions by over 15 practitioners, fashion parade, showcasing diverse talents
“We have people from different artistic fields, students and established professionals. When different voices come together, it is fascinating to see what can emerge,” she said.

McGowan noted that while similar gatherings had been held in London, the Lagos edition marked the first time Ubuntu Café was hosted in Africa.

McGowan added that there were plans for follow-up sessions in London and other parts of the region, with opportunities for more editions in Lagos depending on stakeholder engagement.

Media entrepreneur, Chude Jideonwu, who was the keynote speaker at the event, encouraged creatives to develop the courage to tell authentic African stories and embrace originality. He urged practitioners to focus on local content and alternative storytelling that reflects African realities and experiences, adding that not every story needs to appeal to everyone.
Jideonwu emphasised the need for creatives to take pride in their uniqueness and consistently produce content that projects African identity and perspectives.
Programme Director of LSE and PfAL, Mr Tosin Adebisi, who is also the founder of Ubuntu Café, said the gathering was conceived at LSE in 2022 as a unique African space for ideas, culture and connection.
Adebisi said his years of observation showed African creatives have talent, but many lack access to opportunities, which collaboration can provide.
He urged creatives to remain open-minded and embrace partnerships that could help expand their reach and impact.
Also speaking, Head of Arts at the British Council Nigeria, Mr Harry Kesiena, said the council would mark 81 years of operations in Nigeria this year, describing the period as one defined by research, impact and sustainable collaborations.
Kesiena highlighted the council’s consistent efforts to create platforms for Nigerian creatives to grow, connect, and showcase their talents, citing the council’s impactful journey.
The programme featured diverse exhibitions by no fewer than 15 practitioners across the creative and cultural value chain.