Steve Babaeko, CEO of X3M Ideas, highlighted the ingenuity and challenges of Nigeria’s creative sector during his keynote at NECLive 2025. Using a viral clip from Ikorodu Boi recreating a trailer for Extraction, he demonstrated how Nigerian creators produce world-class content under resource constraints. Babaeko noted that while critics sometimes focus on Nigeria’s limitations, the talent and determination of its people remain extraordinary.
He warned that the country’s creative economy, contributing only 1.2 percent to GDP, cannot rely solely on individual hustle. While Afrobeats and Nollywood have gained global recognition, the infrastructure supporting these industries is fragile and often controlled outside Africa. Babaeko cautioned that without strategic investment, Nigeria risks exporting raw talent without benefiting from the full value of its creative output.
To address these gaps, Babaeko called for creative enterprise zones, tax incentives, and policy reforms that protect intellectual property. He also emphasized the need to finance emerging talent and train professionals behind the camera. According to Babaeko, investing in studios, arenas, and digital infrastructure will ensure that Nigeria’s creative economy not only entertains but also empowers and generates sustainable wealth.
