Creative Sector Can Drive Jobs, Economic Growth — Ogodo

Nigeria’s creative industry could become one of the country’s most lucrative sources of employment and economic growth if the federal government creates the right framework and allows the sector to operate with greater autonomy, singer and record label executive, Victor Ogodo, popularly known as Pastor Victor, has said.

Ogodo, founder of Konka Records, made the assertion in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, where he urged the federal government to strengthen local talents and establish platforms capable of exporting Nigerian creatives to the global market.

According to him, the creative industry represents an untapped economic opportunity that could generate jobs, diversify the economy and help address social problems, including crime.

“Everything good and bad comes from the street,” Ogodo said. “The government should look for a way to strengthen local talents and set up a platform to export them to the world. This will go a long way to boost Nigeria’s economy and eliminate crime to a large extent.”

He said the government’s major responsibility should be to establish the necessary systems and frameworks, after which the industry could become largely self-sustaining with minimal government funding.

“The creative industry could become one of the most lucrative jobs in Nigeria’s history,” he said.

“The government just needs to set up the system and it will run on its own without much cost from the government when it starts running.”

Ogodo, who is also a music producer and businessman, described Konka Records as more than a commercial venture, saying it was established as “a place of destiny and transformation.”

The label currently has two artistes, JJ Maya and Jedai, on its roster. Ogodo said his decision to maintain a small roster was deliberate, as he preferred developing quality talents rather than pursuing numbers.

He said one of his major motivations was to provide support for talented young people who might otherwise become vulnerable to exploitation, frustration and depression.

“A lot of people are very talented but have no one to support them or exploit their talent,” he said, using exploitation in its developmental sense. “This has caused a whole lot of talented people to be depressed. Talent that ought to be a blessing to them ends up being a tool to their depression.”

Ogodo said he selected his two artistes because he saw qualities beyond their musical abilities, including greatness, dedication and leadership potential.

“I see a new generation of leaders in them. Their music is not just music but a message,” he said.

His commitment to supporting vulnerable talents, he explained, was shaped by his childhood experience of hardship and his aversion to human suffering.

“I grew up in a village where people struggle for everything. I hate to see people suffer,” he recounted.

His search for purpose eventually led him to pastor school in 2017, after which he served at Living Faith Church for four years. He said the experience helped him discover a deeper sense of purpose centred on giving people hope.

“Life is more beautiful when we become the reason why people smile and have hope again,” he said. “That is just my highest passion. It gives me inner strength and peace when I’m the reason why people have hope again.”

Looking ahead, Ogodo said his immediate priority was to develop JJ Maya and Jedai and help them realise their dreams, while creating a smoother path for emerging artistes.

“I just want to pave way for the upcoming artists to make it easy for them to achieve their dreams,” he said. “Because I know the struggle I went through when I was coming up, and I don’t wish anyone to have the same experience.”

Ogodo also credited Derek Zai, who introduced him to the entertainment industry in 2006, with inspiring his commitment to developing and uplifting others.