Agbese Urges FG To Back Grassroots Creatives With Real Support

Founder and Convener of the Creative Art and Visual Imagery Centre (CAVIC) Festival, Philip Agbese Jnr, has urged the Federal Government to engage directly with grassroots creative practitioners and provide practical support, warning that limited government presence at initiatives for young artists and technology innovators could slow Nigeria’s creative economy.

“Government should show us the opportunities that are available, help us harness those opportunities, speak for us, speak with us, support us across board,” Agbese said at the opening of the 2026 CAVIC Festival of Creativity and Technology in Wuse, Abuja.

The festival, themed: “Infinite Realms: Beyond Imagination,” runs from November 5 to 7 and features exhibitions, interactive installations, optical illusions, spoken-word performances and discussions on art and technology.

Agbese said CAVIC was ready to work with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, but noted that the organisation had invited government representatives to its programmes for four years without a positive response. He said government remains a key stakeholder because it can provide resources, infrastructure and institutional backing.

He said CAVIC has sustained its activities through self-funding and partnerships, and has also pursued funding applications and other support sources. He expressed hope that these efforts would lead to stronger collaboration with government agencies.

The festival followed a five-day capacity-building workshop in June supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. It was facilitated by Spanish artist Marta Verde and UK-based immersive experience practitioner David Ugochukwu Ogbuehi. About 20 to 25 participants took part, and two of the three groups formed during the workshop showcased their work at the festival.

Spanish Embassy Cultural Attaché Eva Barta Martin said the collaboration provided a platform for learning, skills development and creative exchange, and praised Abuja’s growing cultural agenda.

Partners GEANCO Foundation and Pad Up Africa also highlighted the link between creativity and social development. GEANCO’s Okike Offia said, “Art is a medium of expression and art gives voice to the voiceless.” Pad Up Africa founder Ashley Lori called for policies improving access to menstrual health information and products.

Poet Dike Chukwumerije urged practical support for creatives, including affordable workspaces and grants. “Something as little as 50k can make a big difference to creatives in certain parts of the city,” he said.

Agbese said CAVIC aims to make the festival a calendar event for Nigerian and African creatives and to attract international partners interested in emerging talent. He invited the minister to partner with creative organisations and engage directly with practitioners.