The National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) and the African School of Economics (ASE) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote African heritage and drive growth in the arts and creative economy.
The MOU, signed by NTN Artistic Director/CEO, Hajja Kaltume Bulama Gana, fsna; ASE Registrar, Mrs Emi-Fowowe Ogunboye, and Director of Arts, Aisha Aliyu Bima, aims to foster collaboration through cultural exchange programs, joint research initiatives, academic workshops, and capacity-building projects.
This partnership seeks to bridge the gap between culture and academia providing a platform for nurturing talent and advancing sustainable cultural development by building a holistic National Dance and Music Archive. This archive will encompass both digital and physical materials, showcasing the traditional and contemporary musical instruments and dance forms from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, and as many ethnic expressions as possible.
This initiative will empower artists, researchers, people, and communities to connect with their heritage and contribute to a more nuanced and complete understanding of African identity.
The Artistic Director/CEO emphasized that the MOU is a strategic step toward global recognition of African culture.
Mrs Emi-Fowowe highlighted the potential of the partnership to foster artistic talent, exchange, and promote sustainable cultural development.
The African School of Economics, founded by Prof. Leonard Wantchekon, is a Pan-African institution with a focus on promoting Africa’s arts, history, and culture through scholarly inquiry.
The NTN is the foremost cultural institution dedicated to promoting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage through performing arts.
As a people and research-driven partnership, we are particularly excited about the potential of this project to serve as a template for similar initiatives across the African continent. To empower talents in the creative industry, merge traditional and artistic innovation, and showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience.
