Chocolate City CEO calls for creative infrastructure expansion in Lagos

Abuchi Peter Ugwu, CEO of Chocolate City and Co-Founder of Bean Creative IMC, has said that Lagos must scale its creative infrastructure to match the size and ambition of its youth-driven economy.

He said this recently at the Lagos Economic Outlook 2026 Roundtable held recently in Lagos, according to a statement.

The Roundtable, convened by the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, brought together economists, policymakers, academics and industry leaders to shape Lagos State’s economic direction for 2026.

Abuchi appreciated the Lagos State Government for consistently supporting the growth of the creative sector across music, film, fashion, nightlife and digital content, and for recognising its role in the State’s long-term development.

Speaking on a panel moderated by Amina Olohunlana of the University of Lagos, Abuchi affirmed Lagos as both Nigeria’s commercial centre and Africa’s leading creative hub, driven by Afrobeats, street culture, digital creators and a rapidly growing youth population.

While acknowledging progress, he noted that Lagos must now build at a scale that matches its economic ambition.

“Lagos has given the creative sector a home. Now we need to expand that home. Our young people have the ideas, the audience and global attention. What they need is infrastructure, safety and predictable systems to thrive.”

He urged the State to plan proactively for its increasing youth population and the annual influx of visitors during peak cultural periods such as Detty December. He added that Lagos operates in an era where attention is a global currency and must convert cultural momentum into long-term economic value.

On why Youth Must Be at the Centre, he said Lagos has more than 12 million people under the age of 30. Nigeria has the largest youth population in Africa, contributing over 70 percent of the country’s creative output.

Lagos youth drive more than 80 percent of Africa’s viral content across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

Nigerian creators earn between ₦200,000 and ₦2 million monthly depending on niche.

Entertainment and nightlife contribute an estimated 2.9 billion dollars to Lagos’s informal GDP.

On what Lagos must build next, Abuchi highlighted the need for modern performance venues, mid-size arenas, production studios, film-friendly districts, multi-purpose creative hubs, streamlined permits and stronger night-time safety systems.

He noted that many Nigerian creators still travel abroad to shoot content, not because Lagos lacks culture or visual appeal, but because local processes remain slow or difficult to access.

Drawing from his work at Bean Creative IMC, Abuchi explained that gaps in local infrastructure increase production costs and slow down creative output. Bean Creative IMC works across talent management, digital marketing, public relations and reputation management, giving the company deep insight into creator needs and audience behaviour.

This vantage point, he said, has shown how improved systems and accessible infrastructure can unlock greater value across music, content creation and brand storytelling.

He also referenced the Chocolate City Founders Fund, a grant initiative created to support emerging talent, especially women and young creatives in music, content creation, fashion, design and creative entrepreneurship. The fund aligns with Lagos State’s objective of strengthening its creative workforce and expanding economic participation.

Panelists included Olufemi Shuaib and Samuel Iyiola Oni, and Oluyinka Olumide. Abuchi’s contributions, centred on infrastructure reform and youth empowerment, provided a practical roadmap for Lagos to strengthen its position as Africa’s leading creative powerhouse.

“Lagos is a youth city. If we give young people safe spaces, efficient systems and real creative infrastructure, this economy will move from potential to performance in 2026”, he said.

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