By George Ozalla
Nigeria’s creative industry has been called upon to harness the power of storytelling, music, film and digital media to shape the early years of the nation’s children. At a national gathering convened by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation in partnership with Ogidi Studios and supported by the World Bank, entertainers, policymakers and development experts explored how the country’s vibrant creative sector can influence parenting practices, promote early learning and strengthen family wellbeing across Nigeria.
The gathering, titled Entertainers for Nigerian Children: A National Creative Industries Mobilization for Early Childhood Development and Family Wellbeing, brought together creative professionals, scholars, development partners, parents and policymakers to examine how entertainment can advance nurturing parenting and early childhood development.
Speakers at the engagement explained that early childhood development goes beyond culture or education alone and represents a comprehensive framework of evidence based interventions and caregiving practices designed to support children’s physical growth, brain development, early learning and socio emotional wellbeing during the formative years. They noted that effective early childhood development programmes typically span multiple sectors including nutrition, healthcare, responsive caregiving, early stimulation, early learning opportunities and child protection, all working together to ensure children receive the support needed to thrive.
Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, Aisha Adamu Augie, described the initiative as an effort to reconnect contemporary society with long-standing African traditions that place the child at the centre of communal life. She said traditional African societies recognized the home and community as a child’s first classroom, where storytelling, music and cultural performances served as tools to shape children’s moral compass, imagination and social awareness.
Augie warned that modern Nigeria faces serious challenges in ensuring children receive essential developmental support. She pointed to high rates of child stunting and low participation in early childhood education programmes, arguing that neglecting the earliest years of life could undermine the nation’s demographic advantage and weaken future workforce capacity. She said the first five years of life are critical for brain development, shaping cognitive ability, emotional intelligence and lifelong learning. Augie called on creative professionals to produce content that advances nurturing parenting, positive family values and early learning.
Child development specialist and World Bank consultant Dr Ritgak Tilley-Gyado emphasised the importance of investing in early childhood as a foundation for national development. She explained that children who receive adequate nutrition, stimulation, responsive caregiving and early learning opportunities are more likely to succeed in school, develop strong social skills and contribute meaningfully to society. She also noted that international development partners and policy practitioners increasingly rely on structured guidance such as the Early Childhood Development Behaviours Compendium, which outlines practical caregiver practices and service interventions that help support optimal child development. According to her, aligning communication and public awareness with this operational framework helps ensure clarity in how early childhood development is understood and promoted across communities.
She said the creative industry possesses a unique capacity to translate scientific evidence into relatable stories that resonate with parents and communities and encourage practices such as early reading, emotional support and healthy nutrition.
Yemisi Falaye, Head of Legal at Ogidi Studios, addressed the gathering and encouraged content creators to be intentional about the social impact of their work. She said Ogidi Studios supports creative expressions that promote positive social reforms and emphasised the need for storytelling across platforms to nurture young minds and reinforce values that contribute to early childhood development and family cohesion.
Speakers at the event also highlighted the need for collaboration between government, development partners, the private sector and creative professionals to build a national movement focused on improving the wellbeing of Nigerian children. Discussions examined practical ways filmmakers, musicians, writers, comedians and digital content creators can incorporate themes of responsible parenting and child development into their work while maintaining artistic authenticity and audience appeal.
Organisers of the initiative expressed optimism that the engagement would inspire a new generation of creative productions that blend cultural expression with a commitment to social progress and celebrate African values that support child development.
The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation is a federal cultural institution established to promote African cultural heritage, strengthen cultural diplomacy and support initiatives that harness culture and creativity for national development.
