Since its inception in 2017, the Calabar Entertainment Conference (CEC) has grown into a major platform for Nigeria’s creative industry. Now in its ninth edition, Executive Producer and CEO of Hit FM, Patrick Ugbe, highlights the sector’s pressing needs, pointing to gaps in capacity building, funding, distribution, and thought leadership.
The 2025 edition of CEC will take place on October 17–18 at Hogis Royale in Calabar, Cross River State. The conference will convene young creatives, industry executives, policymakers, and investors to discuss challenges, seize opportunities, and chart long-term strategies for growth in Nigeria’s fast-evolving entertainment landscape.
A major highlight of this year’s event is the partnership with FirstBank, which joins as the Official Bank of the conference. Ugbe describes the move as a testament to the bank’s role in fueling growth across the creative economy:
“By supporting CEC, FirstBank reinforces its commitment to financial inclusion and youth empowerment, while offering a platform that enables young Nigerians to transform ideas into sustainable ventures.”
Echoing this vision, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, noted:
“We are deeply invested in platforms that empower young people and foster creativity. Partnering with CEC reflects our drive to promote innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers of Nigeria’s future.”
He added that through its First@Arts initiative, the bank continues to strengthen support for the creative sector by opening doors for stakeholders to explore the vast opportunities within the industry.
Over the two-day program, attendees can expect keynote speeches, masterclasses, panel sessions, and networking opportunities—all designed to provide participants with tools and insights to thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic entertainment ecosystem.
