Aisha Augie is the present Director Common for the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). Previous to this, she was the Particular Adviser on Digital Communications Technique to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Price range & Nationwide Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed. Aisha was the Senior Particular Assistant to the Governor of her residence state, Kebbi State, Nigeria. She was the CEO of the 1960 Firm, a number one media and communications firm. With virtually twenty years of expertise in media and communication in each the personal and public sector, Aisha is certainly one of Nigeria’s most celebrated artistic artists, photographers, filmmakers and communication specialists main varied growth initiatives for the advocacy of youth and girls empowerment throughout Nigeria. She has acquired varied accolades each domestically and internationally.
Aisha has spoken at over 200 occasions each domestically and internationally, raised consciousness and advocated for various causes in her talking periods and has spoken on her experiences, learnings, challenges and options to allow youthful ones have the chance to study, particularly as a result of it wasn’t as simple because it may very well be right now in her earlier days.
She has skilled 1000’s in photograph journalism, studying by means of journey, documentary images and images for social change amongst different matters. She not too long ago picked up moderating and commenced an interview fashion podcast titled “I really like your work with Aisha Augie” which has over 68 nations represented amongst her listeners.
Over time, Aisha has based/Co-founded varied firms throughout the Media & Communications House. Some are Pixel & Paper, Meermaad Community (now The 1960 Media & Firm as CEO) and Novice Heads Productions. The businesses concentrate on public relations, filmmaking, images, merchandising, knowledge assortment, advertising and communications technique. She has additionally partnered with conventional and new media homes, advertising and PR companies and extra with a concentrate on attaining her shoppers’ targets.
Utilizing her expertise and powerful social media following, she has been capable of personally help and practice over 110 Small & Medium Enterprise (SMEs) and a excessive variety of younger artistic people to spice up their visibility and gross sales, help them in designing and implementing their model id. Aisha strongly believes in job creation by means of talent acquisition and worth creation. #ChooseNigerian #ChooseAfrican.
Because the Director Common of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), what are a number of the key initiatives or initiatives you’re at the moment engaged on to advertise African arts and tradition?
Because the Director Common of CBAAC, some key initiatives I’m at the moment engaged on to protect and promote African arts, tradition and civilisation embody a touring exhibition showcasing the wealthy cultural heritage of Africa by means of artwork, music, and efficiency particularly with our archive of over 20,000 gadgets from over 56 nations and lots of black nations saved in belief on the Centre acquired throughout FESTAC 77. We’ve got a cultural change programme that enables us a collaborative initiative with worldwide cultural establishments to advertise cross-cultural understanding and change. The centre receives researchers from all around the world centered on Africa and its historical past. We additionally obtain college students, younger and previous with a concentrate on educating them about who we’re as a individuals. We plan to have an African Artists’ Residency Programme, offering alternatives for rising artists to develop their abilities and showcase their work globally.
CBAAC will not be represented correctly on-line, but. We’re engaged on creating an internet platform to protect and make accessible Africa’s cultural historical past and heritage. Our annual celebration of African music, dance, theatre, and visible artwork by means of the Pageant of African Arts and Tradition continues to advertise job creation and understanding throughout the African context. We’ve got an African Cultural Heritage Preservation Mission working with native communities to protect and defend Africa’s cultural heritage websites, indigenous abilities and traditions. We’ll quickly be launching the Pan African Indigenous Expertise Growth Programme (PAID) to develop the subsequent era of African artists, artisans, artistic and cultural leaders with a concentrate on job creation, technological integration and affect throughout Africa. These initiatives goal to advertise African arts and tradition, foster cultural change, and protect Africa’s wealthy cultural heritage for future generations.
CBAAC is charged with the accountability of selling and propagating Black and African cultural heritage in its totality. When you stood in entrance of a sea of individuals curious to find out about Nigeria on this context, what would you say?
I stand earlier than you right now because the Director Common of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), with the privilege and dedication of sharing the wealthy cultural heritage of Nigeria and the African diaspora.
Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic teams, is a microcosm of Africa’s range. Our cultural heritage is a treasure trove of traditions, customs, and artwork kinds which were formed by our historical past, geography, and resilience. From the Nok terracottas to the Benin bronzes, to the partitions of Zaria, Kano and Benin, our historical civilisations have left an indelible mark on human historical past. Our music, dance, and artwork have influenced generations of artists globally.
At CBAAC, we’re devoted to selling and preserving this cultural heritage, not only for Nigeria, however for the whole African diaspora. We consider that our tradition has the ability to unite, to heal, and to encourage. We’re harnessing the ability of our tradition to construct a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come back.
The current renovation of the Nationwide Theatre by the Bankers’ Committee, what does this milestone imply for CBAAC and also you?
Formally, because the DG CBAAC, I can say that the renovated Nationwide Theatre serves as a cultural hub, enhancing CBAAC’s capability to advertise and showcase African arts and tradition by means of collaborating with the newly named Wole Soyinka Centre for Tradition and Inventive Arts (Nationwide Theatre). The upgraded facility allows CBAAC to host numerous cultural occasions, festivals, and exhibitions, fostering higher engagement with native and worldwide audiences particularly since our headquarters is predicated in Lagos, Nigeria, host to the theatre. This collaboration with the bankers’ committee demonstrates the ability of public-private partnerships in driving cultural growth, serving to to solidify CBAAC’s position as a cultural catalyst.
Personally, witnessing the Nationwide Theatre’s renovation is a supply of delight, because it aligns with my imaginative and prescient for CBAAC to steer Africa’s cultural renaissance. I used to be as soon as on the stage performing on the theatre as a toddler in major faculty, so this can be a dream come true for me to witness its re-emergence. This milestone motivates me to proceed innovating cultural programming and advocacy, making certain CBAAC stays on the forefront of Africa’s cultural panorama. I’m grateful to the bankers’ committee for his or her funding in cultural infrastructure and to our crew at CBAAC for his or her dedication to the preservation and promotion of African arts and civilisation. In 2027, FESTAC 77 will likely be 50 years previous. Strolling into CBAAC to see all paperwork, communiques, artwork/artefacts, images, sound, video and music from the month lengthy festivities in 1977 was tremendous inspiring. I knew I obtained the precise job due to the inspiration I felt studying from our African historical past.
How essential is it for Nigeria to see the worth of arts to the extent that it additionally carries financial worth apart oil that we now have centered on by means of the years?
It’s essential for Nigeria and Nigerians to recognise the worth of arts past its cultural significance, because it additionally holds substantial financial potential. The artistic and cultural sector can diversify the financial system, cut back dependence on oil exports and discover different income streams. It’s an avenue to make use of alternatives and create jobs in areas resembling music, movie, visible arts, and efficiency. It additionally promotes tourism, showcasing Nigeria’s wealthy cultural heritage, attracting vacationers and producing international change. The sector encourages improvements, it drives entrepreneurship, resulting in the event of a lot wanted services and products. Showcasing Nigerian expertise globally enhances our world status and it improves the nation’s worldwide picture whereas preserving our cultural heritage. We should defend and protect Nigeria’s cultural legacy for future generations.
By acknowledging the financial worth of arts, Nigeria and Nigerians can spend money on arts schooling and infrastructure, present help for artists and artistic industries, develop insurance policies selling arts-driven financial development and encourage public-private partnerships within the arts sector. By doing so, Nigeria can unlock the huge financial potential of its wonderful artistic and cultural sector, contributing to a extra diversified and sustainable financial system. I’m a product of the artistic and cultural sector, I’ve earned and survived by means of it and I’m certain that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians can profit from it too.
As former Particular Adviser on Digital Communications Technique to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Price range and Nationwide Planning, what had been a number of the key focus areas and challenges on this place?
As former Particular Adviser on Digital Communications Technique to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Price range and Nationwide Planning, some key focus areas included growing and implementing a complete digital communications technique to reinforce the Ministry’s on-line presence and engagement. We leveraged social media and digital platforms to advertise the Ministry’s insurance policies, programmes and initiatives, offering real-time updates on funds and financial developments to stakeholders and most people. We collaborated with different authorities and growth businesses to make sure consistency in digital communications, thus enhancing transparency and accountability by means of digital channels.
The challenges confronted on this place included restricted digital literacy and infrastructure throughout the Ministry. It was additionally exhausting to steadiness the necessity for transparency with delicate info. Misinformation, pretend information and adverse narratives on social media was an enormous problem to handle. It was a 24-hour job simply to handle this. My crew and I contended with a excessive stage of stress as a result of this. These focus areas and challenges required strategic pondering, creativity, and collaboration to successfully talk the Ministry’s work and insurance policies to numerous audiences.
Given your expertise within the media and communications sector, each within the personal and public spheres, what are a number of the notable adjustments or developments you’ve noticed over time within the business in Nigeria?
Based mostly on my expertise, some notable adjustments and developments in Nigeria’s media and communications business embody the shift from conventional print and broadcast media to on-line and social media platforms. Extra Nigerians have entry to info through on-line platforms. Social media has empowered people to turn out to be information sources and influencers. Audiences now count on real-time info, interactivity, and personalised content material. They now play a major position in shaping public opinion and advertising methods. Extra private-owned media organisations have emerged, growing range in views and protection. Financial pressures, promoting decline, and funding constraints have an effect on media shops’ viability. These days, the federal government’s effort to manage social media and on-line content material raises issues about press freedom and censorship. There was an elevated concentrate on native content material, with emphasis on selling Nigerian tales, expertise, and cultural heritage. These adjustments replicate the evolving media panorama in Nigeria, presenting alternatives and challenges for practitioners, policymakers, and shoppers.
You’ve talked about that you just’ve based and co-founded varied firms throughout the media and communications house. Are you able to elaborate on the core focus and aims of those firms, and the way they’ve advanced over time?
I’ve based and co-founded a number of firms and organisations within the media and communications house and likewise non-for-profit organisations previously, every with its distinctive focus and aims. As a media and communications skilled, it was essential to have companies and help others that centered on drawback fixing options by means of technique. One I’m notably pleased with is the Centre for Artwork and Inventive Expertise (C-FACT). A non-profit I based in 2012, centered on bridging the gaps between expertise, financing and mental property legislation after my experiences as a photographer and artistic artist. I felt the youthful era didn’t should make the identical errors like I did and lots of have turn out to be profitable in their very own endeavours.
On supporting and coaching over 110 Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and younger creatives, what has been the affect of those initiatives, and the way have you ever been capable of leverage your platform to empower others?
The affect of supporting and coaching over 110 Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) throughout Nigeria and 1000’s of younger creatives in my lifetime has been profound. I’ve supported them with abilities and data in enterprise administration, advertising, and artistic manufacturing. In additionally consists of connecting them to my huge community whereas serving to them to develop. I realised by means of my images and social media that I had a voice and what I shared elevated worth. Everybody who is aware of me is aware of I patronise Made-In-Nigeria and Africa merchandise. Sharing with followers whereas additionally supporting a number of the entrepreneurs behind the scenes has been fulfilling. I keep in contact as a lot as I can, able to mentor and help younger individuals and girls as a result of I’ve at all times felt I lacked the help I wanted once I commenced as an entrepreneur. The fantastic thing about all of it is that I additionally get to study from them whereas continuously being reminded of why I’ve a ardour for the artistic and cultural sector.
All through your profession, you’ve had the chance to work in varied capacities, from the personal sector to the general public sector. What are a number of the key classes or takeaways that you just’ve learnt, and the way have they formed your method to your work?
All through my profession, I’ve learnt worthwhile classes which have formed my method to work. The simple mix throughout sectors (personal, public, developmental and entrepreneurial) has allowed me construct bridges that didn’t exist earlier than. Inventive integration is required no matter sector focus. I’m able to help change and be versatile in a quickly evolving setting. My community globally is phenomenal and generally I ask myself how this all got here to be. With the ability to work throughout sectors has given me an opportunity to experiment as a result of that’s what we do as creatives. Getting paid to do what I really like doesn’t really feel like work and I’m comfortable that I’ve remained dedicated to storytelling, narrative constructing and communications as a part of my work circulation.
These classes have formed my method by embracing a collaborative and adaptable mindset, fostering innovation and creativity. It has helped me prioritise empathy and understanding as a result of most individuals are likely to see issues from their very own perspective and/or experiences. I feel within the long-term now, persistence is now a behavior. I’m a lifelong learner, my background in communications with an appreciative and investigative method has ensured I by no means see issues from a single perspective. By making use of these classes, I attempt to make a optimistic distinction in my work and contribute to significant change.
How did your love for images start? As DG, are you continue to capable of flame your aptitude?
My love for images started as a pastime, a method to seize moments and wonder round me. I used to be fascinated by the ability of photos to inform tales, evoke feelings, and protect recollections. As a photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing numerous topics, from portraits to landscapes, to weddings and documenting cultural heritage. Pictures permits me to see the world from completely different views, admire its complexity, and discover magnificence in sudden locations.
As DG of CBAAC, my position is demanding, however I nonetheless find time for images and artwork creation. The truth is, it helps me loosen up and recharge. I consider that having a artistic outlet exterior of labor enriches my perspective and enhances my management. Whereas my schedule could not permit for as a lot images as I’d like, I nonetheless pursue some long term initiatives and collaborations that align with my passions. I’ve even included images into my work at CBAAC, utilizing it as a instrument for cultural documentation and storytelling. My love for images continues to burn brilliant, and I’m grateful to have it as an integral a part of my life and work.
You’ve talked about your work in coaching 1000’s of people in areas like photojournalism, documentary images, and images for social change. What impressed you to concentrate on these explicit areas, and the way have you ever seen the affect of this coaching on the individuals?
My inspiration for specializing in photojournalism, documentary images (nonetheless and movement), and images for social change as coaching matters stems from understanding the ability of visible storytelling. I consider within the capability of photos to inform highly effective tales, evoke feelings, and drive change. I needed to equip people, particularly from underrepresented communities with abilities to share their tales and views. Their tales matter, simply as a lot as ours. I aimed to contribute to optimistic social change by coaching photographers and journalists to doc and deal with crucial points.
The affect of this coaching through getting suggestions from individuals who’ve gained confidence of their skills, embracing their very own distinctive views, has been wonderful to expertise. Many have developed sturdy technical and narrative abilities, enhancing their visible storytelling strategies whereas incomes a dwelling by means of these abilities. Witnessing the expansion and affect of those people has been extremely rewarding, reinforcing the worth of empowering others by means of coaching and sharing my life’s story.
Given your concentrate on job creation by means of talent acquisition and worth creation, are you able to share extra about a number of the particular initiatives or programmes you’ve been concerned in to help youth and girls empowerment in Nigeria?
I’ve been concerned in a number of initiatives supporting youth and girls empowerment in Nigeria and Africa together with however not restricted to talent acquisition programmes, mentorship initiatives, ladies empowerment and gender workshops, youth entrepreneurship schemes, digital literacy programmes, artistic and cultural business growth and advocacy, scholarship schemes, mental property legislation consciousness programmes, neighborhood outreach programmes and well being consciousness initiatives. These initiatives goal to equip youths and girls with abilities, data and assets to thrive of their chosen fields, supporting financial development and social progress in Nigeria and Africa. I consider we now have all it takes to get Africa again on prime as a continent that may thrive particularly with our rising youth inhabitants.
What’s subsequent?
As I proceed to evolve and develop, I’m excited to discover new alternatives and challenges most particularly in management. I’ve stopped ready for others to assist us, why not us? The extra we concentrate on issues, the much less answer we are going to actualise. I ask myself these questions, what worth can I add to make issues simpler? What partnerships and collaborations are potential to make desires a actuality? I’m a dreamer who has had the prospect to reside many lives no matter all of the challenges which have come my method. The longer term holds countless prospects, and I’m desirous to embrace new adventures whereas making a long-lasting affect.
Concluding phrases
As we conclude, I’d wish to say that empowering others by means of arts and talent acquisition, mentorship, and artistic expression has been a rewarding journey. I’m pleased with the affect made to date and excited for the longer term. I’m notably grateful to all my mentors (many I cannot have the prospect to checklist out ) which have given me the chance to serve my nation. From President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the Minister of Arts, Tradition and Inventive Economic system, Hannatu Musawa, to United Nations DSG Amina Mohammed for being an amazing inspiration. From the previous Minister of Finance, Price range and Nationwide Planning, Zainab Ahmed, to the previous Governor of my residence state, Kebbi, the now Minister of Price range & Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. With out their enter, I might not know what it means to be a real Nigerian. Journey and images allowed me to discover 32 states and counting, however working within the public house has opened up my eyes to points that I by no means would have imagined. Let’s proceed to uplift and help each other, fostering a tradition of development, inclusivity, and optimistic change. Collectively, we will create a brighter, extra inclusive world. A united Nigeria and Africa, no matter race, tribe or faith is one I envision for my youngsters and I’m elated to have the ability to contribute my quota.
