Lagos: Goge Africa and stakeholders in diplomacy, government, and the creative sector have urged that culture be used as a strategic tool for economic growth, diplomacy, and foreign policy, not just entertainment. The stakeholders made the call at the inauguration of the Goge Africa Cultural Dialogue and Diplomacy Series 2026 on Thursday in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organised by Goge Africa in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). The theme of the event is ‘Eyo, Culture and Soft Power: Driving Diplomacy, Integration and Economic Growth’. The stakeholders said culture was now a leading instrument of soft power that could strengthen international relations, attract investment, boost tourism, foster peace, and advance regional integration.
Opening the dialogue, Isaac Moses, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Goge Africa, stated that the initiative was created to place culture at the centre of public policy rather than leave it as an occasional spectacle. He emphasized the need for culture to be integrated into policy level discussions rather than being limited to entertainment purposes.
Nneka Isaac-Moses, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Goge Africa, recounted the organisation’s journey since 1999, noting the initial reluctance of corporate organisations to support cultural platforms due to perceptions of culture as ‘fetish’. She highlighted the decision to unveil the dialogue series in Lagos, the birthplace of Goge Africa, as a step towards institutionalizing cultural conversations through government policy.
Director-General of NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, represented by Prof. Chinasa Ohiri, noted that culture had emerged as a powerful tool for fostering dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives. He pointed out that Nigeria’s rich cultural assets, such as Nollywood and Afrobeats, continued to enhance the country’s soft power and global image.
Dr Aisha Augie, Director-General of CBAAC, emphasized that culture remained a strong platform for uniting people across ethnic, religious, and national boundaries amid global divisions. She urged stakeholders to ensure the dialogue generated policies that would strengthen cultural exchange, heritage preservation, and international cooperation.
Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Dr Olayiwola Awakan, highlighted storytelling as Nigeria’s greatest tourism asset, announcing plans for a tourism-dedicated streaming platform to showcase cultural experiences. This initiative aims to counter negative narratives while attracting tourists, investors, and international partnerships.
Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, discussed the potential of Nigeria’s cultural wealth when protected through intellectual property rights. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the value in Nigeria’s culture to prevent the commercialization of African stories by others.
The event featured a session with diplomatic representatives, where Jetta Bjerrum, Danish Consul General to Nigeria, Maxime Bengaly, Consul General of Burkina Faso in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, and Simon Field, Deputy Head of British Mission in Lagos shared insights on the role of culture in diplomacy. They agreed that culture should be a strategic pillar of diplomacy, economic growth, and sustainable national development.
NAN also reports that a documentary screened at the event showcased the historical significance of the Eyo Festival, illustrating its impact on various sectors like artisans, traders, and tourism, thus reinforcing the role of culture as both a heritage asset and an economic driver.