By Quadri Faustina Debola
Held on September 2nd and 3rd 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, the summit was hosted by the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria, EMCOAN, under the theme: “The Creators Economy: Elevate Your Craft, Secure Your Future.”
Top Government officials,regulators, broadcasters, content creators and brand leaders gathered to chart a sustainable path forward for the sector.
The first day of the 5th edition of NEMCEA which was majorly about Policy, Monetization and Audience Measurement began with the Welcome address by the EMCOAN President, Mr. Adeniji Omirin, who added in his speech that the industry must move beyond just producing content to building long-term economic value.
He postulated accordingly that ” NEMCEA has evolved into a significant marketplace for the discovery, exchange, exhibition and celebration of TV, radio and electronic media content, and this year’s edition has been deliberately designed to create even greater opportunities for learning, networking, collaboration and business.” he proudly submitted.
Former Minister of Information and National Orientation giving his speech
Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of Advertising Regulatory Council Of Nigeria (ARCON) then delivered the Ministerial Address on behalf of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to structured growth in the Electronic media space.
DG, ARCON
Goodwill Remark was delivered by former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while goodwill messages was delivered by the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Mr. Charles Ebuebu, Director General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama.
DG, NBC
An opening speech taken by NEMCEA 2026 Project Director, Mr. Alayande Stephen T., where he laid emphasis ” This 5th milestone edition is not just an anniversary; it is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and boundless potential of our electronic media industry. We gather at a critical juncture in the history of broadcasting and content production across Africa. The line between traditional television and digital distribution continues to blur. Audiences are more dynamic, technology is evolving rapidly, and the demand for authentic, high-quality, local content has never been higher.
As content creators and media custodians, our responsibility goes beyond entertainment. We hold the key to narrative power. We shape culture, influence public policy, inform societies, and drive economic growth. However, this power comes with the urgent need for structural alignment, we must embrace robust local content quotas, fully realize the benefits of the Digital Switch Over, and create sustainable economic models that protect creators while serving audiences.” he averred.
The Zee World’s Vice President, Marketing Africa and Vice President East Africa, Neha Sharma took the stage for the Lead Sponsor’s Remark where she shed more light on practical and sustainable steps for Content Creators to elevate their crafts and secure their future as stakeholders in the Industry.
At the DGs’ Roundtable, the DG, ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo announced updates on advert vetting and creator registration. The DG, NBC, Mr. Charles Ebuebu disclosed plans for nationwide multi-platform expansion, while FRCN DG, Dr. Mohammed Bulama revealed they are opening a new training school in Ikeja for stakeholders especially in the Radio content space.
On the 2nd panel session which was meant for the Industry Leaders just after the DG’s Roundtable themed “The Monetisation Matrix- Moving Beyond Brand Deals” the Panelists stressed that original storytelling and revenue diversification through Intellectual Property (IP)and communities matter more than followers counts and online likes. The Panel has in attendance Mr. Lanre Adisa- President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mrs. Tari Taylaur- Executive Director, Programmes, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Osamede Uwubamwen- Former President, Advertisers Association Of Nigeria (ADVAN), Neha Sharma- Vice President ,Marketing Africa & VP East Africa Zee Entertainment Africa ( Zee World ), Mr. Oluremi Akande -Director of Marketing & Communication, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Madam Jibe Ologeh- MD Rwells Media And Advertising and it was moderated by Amaka Chibuzo- Obi- Founder, Wives Roundtable.
As the event progressed, Media expert, Mr. Patrick Gomes, also led a Featured session on “Audience Measurement as the New Currency”under the Digital Switch-Over. The topic was further cascaded into a Panel session and it had Panelists including Mr. Jonadab Egbowon -,Director of Media, Colex Media Ltd., Mr. Rotimi Pedro- Chairman , Digital Switch Over Team., Osayuwamen Saleh- Managing Director, Parallax Media Group., Dr. Yemisi Bamigbose- Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and moderated by Anuoluwapo Awofisan, MD, Character Matters Ltd. The panel session agreed that transparent audience data is key to attracting investment and setting fair advert rates.
Day 2 of NEMCEA 2026 started with an important discourse around taking our content on a global trip. The topic was” Export Value: Taking Nigerian Content To The Global Stage.’and it had Panelists like Dr. Obi Emelonye -a UK based Nigerian Filmmaker and Director, Amina Adekoya- Director of Media, Maximedia Global Ltd., Osana Omame- Director of Corporate Development and Communications, FRCN, Mr. Olatubosun Olaegbe – MD, Genesis Studios Ventures Ltd., Hajia Aminah Mohammed (MD, Aims Media Company Ltd.) and it was moderated by Omooba Deji Irawo- MD, Basilia International Communications Ltd.
Key Recommendations included but not limited to Building a globally competitive creative industry requires a strong ecosystem involving creators, industry professionals, investors and government and Creators were encouraged to understand, own and protect their intellectual property while developing sustainable systems around their creative works.
Preceding the 2nd Panel was a Featured Session and the session was expertly handled by Mr. Abdulazeez Jubril-Salawudeen, Group Chief Financial Officer, Standard Insurance Group & Signature Global Real Estate, who delves into different areas and packages of Insurance that the Creative Industry can take advantage of including that of Standard Insurance Consultants Ltd.
The Sponsor’s curated session was further broken into a Panel session sponsored By Standard Insurance Consultants Limited and it further dealth with the topic ” Ensuring And Insuring The Creative Industry And Cultivating The Risk Management Mechanism”. The array of discussants were Mr. Bolaji Oladipo Zaheed -Managing Director, Standard Insurance Consultants Limited , Mr. Supo Sogelola- Former Managing Director, International Energy Insurance PLC, Clementine Usman-Wamba Head, Digital Switchover (DSO) Office/ Deputy Director, Public Affairs, National Broadcasting Commission(NBC), Mr. Uche Agbo- President, Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Mr Chinedu Ugwu- MD, Sablistu Ventures Limited. and it was moderated by Adeola Dada- Managing Director, Charis Media Consulting.
The panelists unanimously rated industry risk readiness between 6/10 and 8/10. They urged creators to embrace insurance, legal contracts, and Intellectual Property protection.
On the 3rd Panel session, the focus was on Artificial Intelligence (AI), experts on the panel agreed that while AI can speed up workflows, it cannot replace human emotion and cultural authenticity. Creators were advised to use AI as a tool, not a replacement.
WIith the topic, Bridging the Gap – The Covergence of Traditional Media and Digital Creators – AI as a Co- creator ( Efficiency vs Authenticity), the panel had experts like Adeola Eka- Founder, AI4AFRICAAI, Mr. John Orakwe- AI Global Programs Leader, Mr. Julius Olaoluwa Oyekanmi- MD, Finnova Financial Technology Ltd., Mr. Victor Oyarero – Managing Director, Plus Acuity Media Ltd., Stellamaris Duru- Managing Director, Chuchin Ultimate Productions Limited, Mr. Patrick Egbuji, MD, Spotlight Talent Hunt Creatives and it was moderated by Joan Mbanefo Ologeh. Head, Special Projects , Rwells Media and Advertising.
Mr. Kunle Pelemo, a Mental Health Strategist, made a presentation on the topic ” Mental Wealth: Navigating Burnout In The Creative Economy” while he also joined others on the Panel to further look at same topic as the 4th Panel session. He was joined by Dr. Akinkunmi Tolulope Adesewa – Public Health Physician and Medical Research Fellow.,Mr. Adeniji Omirin – CEO, ADNOM Media Limited, President EMCOAN, Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele (fta.)- Nollywood Actor/Lecturer, Uyouyou Agarry Bamgbelu-General Manager, Zee Media Services Ltd., Mr. Sebastine Okoromi – Managing Director, Romistine Media Ltd. and it was moderated by Alayande Stephen T., Managing Director, Eagles House Global Resources & NEMCEA 2026 Project Director.
The “Mental Wealth” panel addressed burnout in the creative industry. The panelists warned against glorifying overwork. “If you don’t take time to break, your body will do it with or without your permission,”
“Your mind is an asset and an account you should protect just as you protect your bank account. Humans are not replaceable, and you cannot self-care your way out of an unhealthy system.” These are some of the most important quotes from the session.
At the end of the summit, stakeholders adopted different key tincluding but kot limited to regulatory alignment with ARCON and NBC, institutional risk management, ethical AI use, mental health standards, standardized audience measurement, and increased capacity building.
EMCOAN remains committed to building a globally competitive creator economy that empowers Nigerian talent and drives national development.
