• The British Council says expressions of interest are open for the UK–Nigeria Season of Culture 2028 until 14 September 2026.
• The call is open to artists, creative businesses, organisations and institutions across fields including music, film, fashion, digital and gaming.
• This is not a funding application: the British Council says it is gathering ideas, identifying partners and starting conversations.
A photographer with a festival idea, a games studio with a collaborator in London, or a fashion collective that wants to build a cross-border project has a familiar problem: the work may be real, but the route to the right partner is often fuzzy.
The British Council’s UK–Nigeria Season of Culture page is now asking the creative sectors in both countries to share what they would like to do as part of the 2028 programme. The Season is scheduled for June to December 2028, with legacy activity through 2029.
What the call is actually asking for
This is an expression of interest, not a long grant proposal. The British Council asks for two pages or fewer: who you are, what you would like to do, which focus area your idea fits, and whether you already have a partner in the other country. The deadline is 14 September 2026.
Why a partner matters more than a polished poster
The five focus areas include cultural heritage, market access, creative collaboration, new commissions, and research and knowledge exchange. That makes a cross-border connection part of the substance, not an afterthought. A short note that clearly names the audience, practical next step and potential partner can say more than a glossy idea with no route to delivery.
Do not confuse interest with funding
The British Council is explicit: the EOI is not a funding application. Sending an idea does not mean a project is selected, financed, commissioned or guaranteed a place in the Season. Creatives should treat it as a chance to start a relevant conversation, then check the official page for any later process.
Make the small idea legible
Not every useful collaboration begins as a huge festival. A shared workshop, archive, design project, game jam, residency idea or research partnership can be a valid starting point if it connects people in both countries and fits the stated themes. Keep it specific enough for a possible partner to recognise their role.
Also read: Five Nigerian documentaries are chasing a $20,000 prize. Why the shortlist matters now
Also read: Australia has drawn a line on AI-made songs. What Nigerian musicians should watch
If you have a creative idea that needs the right partner, what would you build together? Tell us in the comments.
