Ayeni Adekunle, founder of BlackHouse Media and convener of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference, NECLive, has announced plans for a new fund that will support young creators and innovators who lack access to conventional financing. He made the announcement during the 2025 NECLive welcome conversation with Lamide Akintobi, the journalist, broadcaster, and producer known for her work with CNN Africa.
Ayeni Adekunle stated that long-term sustainability in the creative sector depends on building systems that consistently demonstrate value. He noted that money naturally flows toward value, and for the industry to grow, it must create pathways that allow emerging talents to develop their ideas without risking their personal savings. He pointed out that many promising young people, including university students, are often forced to seek bank loans or divert their school fees to fund early projects. The planned fund will pool resources to back experiments from individuals who may not yet have the track record required for institutional support.
He added that the fund will be part of a wider effort to expand opportunities for African creatives through global platforms and technology-driven initiatives. Adekunle highlighted the increasing role of digital tools, including live broadcasts that allow audiences anywhere in the world to connect with events in real time. The initiative, he said, will help create the structure, visibility, and support needed to strengthen the continent’s growing creative economy.
