Emmanuel Akapo, a popular entrepreneur from the music cum creative space, has expressed concerns over the low retention rate of creative persons in Nigeria’s schools, citing inadequate support mechanisms and investment, among other factors.
According to Akapo, founder of Tenstrings Music Institute and International College of Creative Arts (ICCA), most enrollees in regular schools end up dropping out shortly after enrollment. “If you enroll a creative person to study graphics or web design, for example, there’s a 50% chance they would drop out within the first or second year,” he said.
The creative CEO admitted that the creative industry has the lowest formal education rate globally, meaning that people in the sector hardly pursue a first degree, masters and others. “It’s not because of a lack of love for education; rather, it is because the education system is not structured to support the creative industry. You can’t run a creative industry school the way you would run a science, law, or business school,” he stated adding that the significance of this problem brought about the establishment of ICCA, adding that when properly handled, the sector has the potential to outstrip the oil and gas industry to become the most profitable sector of the economy.
Akapo queried how a successful fashion designer of ten years, having produced hundreds of apprentices and designers, is suddenly asked to start from year 1 and learn the basics of what they already know and have mastered. “Even if you do stay, how do you guarantee that after a four-year focus on strictly your studies, on return to your practice, you can pick up your A-game and succeed?”
To effectively check dropping out and proper grading of talents, Akapo said there should be a system where the creative person’s prior learning through apprenticeship, internship, and experiences through entrepreneurship is recognized, valued, assessed and awarded academic credits. He noted that creative schools should incorporate individuality and flexibility that allows one to continue to pursue their creative lives while still studying; recognition of prior learning; and simulation of the industry, where students actively practice what they want to do or become.
He urged the government not to relent in supporting the creative industry, given its potential to stimulate economic growth.
Emmanuel Akapo is a Nigerian creative entrepreneur, record producer, writer, and music educator, and has worked with notable Nigerian musicians such as the late Sound Sultan, Eva Alordiah, Bez, and Brymo.
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