Nigerian-American Chamber honors Femi Odugbemi with Creative Industry Award

Nigerian-American Chamber honors Femi Odugbemi with Creative Industry Award

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) awarded filmmaker Femi Odugbemi the Creative Industry Excellence Award on February 17, 2026, during its monthly breakfast meeting in Lagos. The event, themed “2026 Economic Outlook for Nigeria,” recognised Odugbemi’s role in advancing Nigeria’s creative sector.

Odugbemi, a director, producer, and academy member, received the award at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel on Victoria Island. The strictly by-invitation gathering drew business leaders, government representatives, and economic experts to discuss Nigeria’s future.

Ikenna Nwosu, Facilitator, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), at a NACC official, presented the award and noted that the chamber has started a tradition of honoring creatives. He said NACC gave a similar award to media executive Mo Abudu the previous year and plans to recognize others, such as actress and producer Funke Akindele, in the coming years. Nwosu also mentioned that the NESG awarded music producer Don Jazzy of Mavin Group during its 65th anniversary for his contributions to the industry.

In his acceptance speech, Odugbemi expressed appreciation for the recognition. “I am pleased that NACC could get creatives in such a room to be recognised,” he said. He dedicated the award to all creatives across fields in Nigeria.

Odugbemi’s career spans over three decades in film and television. He founded the MultiChoice Talent Factory, a program that trains young filmmakers across Africa. His notable works include the long-running soap opera “Tinsel,” which aired for over 3,000 episodes, and the drama series “Battleground,” which explored family and political themes. Odugbemi also directed documentaries like “Bariga Boys,” focusing on Lagos street culture, and served as executive producer on projects such as “The Man Died.”

Beyond production, Odugbemi holds key industry roles. He is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, contributing to Oscar selections. He also heads the voting category for the Africa Movie Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), influencing African film honors.

The award presentation set the tone for the event, which shifted to economic discussions. Two keynote speeches addressed Nigeria’s 2026 outlook, blending domestic reforms with U.S.-Nigeria ties.

Tayo Aduloju, CEO of the NESG, delivered the first keynote. He outlined global risks like geo-economic confrontations and misinformation, then focused on Nigeria’s progress. Aduloju noted that reforms since 2023, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, have stabilized the macroeconomy. He also noted that inflation has eased, and foreign reserves are nearing $50 billion, while GDP growth could reach 5.5 percent in 2026 if reforms continue.

However, he warned of fragility. Micro-level issues persist, with poverty affecting over 100 million people and cost-of-living pressures ongoing. As a pre-election year, 2026 risks policy reversals due to political sentiments. Aduloju proposed four pillars for consolidation: macroeconomic anchoring through inflation targeting and fiscal discipline; structural transformation via manufacturing and export diversification; institutional deepening, including tax reforms; and social protection with a jobs agenda.

He projected inflation at 16 percent and the naira at around 1,300-1,480 to the dollar for 2026. Aduloju stressed guarding reforms against election distractions and called for private sector coordination on infrastructure.

Michael A. Ervin, political and economic section chief at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, gave the second keynote. Ervin highlighted Nigeria’s rank as the sixth-largest contributor to global GDP growth in 2026, per the IMF. Yet, he pointed out uneven benefits, with a PwC report forecasting poverty at 62 percent affecting 141 million Nigerians.

Ervin emphasised security as key to growth, noting U.S.-Nigeria cooperation through a new Joint Working Group formed in January 2026 to address violence, including attacks on Christian communities. On trade, Ervin announced President Trump’s February 3, 2026, signing of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) reauthorization through December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect to September 2025. He described it as a step toward modernisation under America’s “America First” policy, demanding more reciprocity.

Ervin highlighted the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP), with its first ministerial meeting in Lagos on January 29, 2026. Private sector groups in agriculture, digital economy, and infrastructure presented recommendations for reforms like tax credits and regulatory harmonization. He invited businesses to engage directly with U.S. officials for deals in energy, fintech, and beyond.

Odugbemi’s award highlights NACC’s push to integrate creatives into business dialogues. As Nigeria navigates 2026, such recognitions aim to boost sectors like film, which contribute to GDP and jobs.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date