NCAC, NITDA to launch ‘BuyNigeria’ E-commerce initiative

• NCAC and NITDA collaborate to launch BuyNigeria.ng, a platform bringing Nigerian markets online
• The collaboration includes developing digital tools for cultural inventory, influencer marketing, capacity building, and others 
• The partnership positions Nigeria’s cultural and digital sectors for growth, innovation, and global competitiveness

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have partnered to launch BuyNigeria.ng, an e-commerce platform designed to bring Nigerian markets into the digital space.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by Dr. Dennis Olofu, Head of Media at NCAC, and Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA.

The partnership aims to merge Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries (CCI) with the nation’s growing digital and innovation ecosystems. Initially, the platform will spotlight the Kano, Lagos, Aba, and Abuja markets, enhancing visibility and accessibility for traders and artisans. This aligns with NCAC’s goal to boost productivity in the cultural and creative sectors.

NITDA, NCAC forge strategic alliance for digital transformation

The initiative stems from a high-level meeting between NCAC Director-General Mr. Obi Asika and NITDA Director-General Mr. Kashifu Inuwa and their respective teams. The collaboration seeks to leverage the strengths of both agencies to drive innovation, growth, and digital transformation across Nigeria’s cultural and creative landscapes.

As part of the partnership, NCAC’s Innovate, Create, Empower (ICE) programme will be scaled up significantly. With NITDA’s support, the programme will expand to 1,000 locations across Nigeria, targeting the training of 2 million Nigerians by 2027. NITDA will provide training facilities and digital labs to enhance the programme’s reach and effectiveness.

NCAC is also working with private sector partners to develop digital platforms for:

• Cultural inventory
• Fan engagement
• Influencer marketing
• Subscription video-on-demand (SVOD)
• E-commerce
• Capacity building

NITDA will strengthen these efforts by offering cloud services and leveraging local distribution networks.

Additionally, NCAC has sought NITDA’s assistance in equipping its headquarters and zonal offices with computers, tablets, digital labs, podcast studios, and other tools to achieve complete digital transformation.

The partnership will extend to joint initiatives like GITEX Nigeria 2025, where NCAC will mobilise its creative communities. The collaboration will also see NITDA’s digital literacy programmes and gamified learning systems integrated into NCAC’s Nigeria’s Got Talent platform.

A joint committee comprising directors from both organisations has been established to ensure the seamless execution of shared initiatives.

This collaboration represents a significant step toward merging Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage with advanced digital technologies. The initiative aims to unlock new opportunities for Nigeria’s creative and digital economies by fostering innovation and integration, paving the way for a more interconnected and digitally empowered future.

Top 10 products to consider for your online business

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier curated a list of 10 products that you can start to sell online and will guarantee good patronage.

If you're looking to start a sustainable and lucrative business online, you must focus on goods that have been established as profitable to yield short- and long-term benefits. The products include vitamins and supplements, skincare products, makeup and tools, perfume and cologne, and others.