Background

New figures released in May 2014 show that Nigeria is now Africa’s biggest economy. This can be attributed to the incorporation of new and fast-growing sectors including telecoms and creative industries into the GDP data. The creative industries are also one of the UK’s great strengths. Official statistics published in February 2014 revealed that the UK’s creative sector is now worth £71.4 billion per year to the economy, generating just over £8 million pounds an hour. Employment in the creative economy which includes film, television and music industries is increasing, as is investment, output and exports. Nigeria is a key trade partner for the UK and the British Government, as well as organisations such as UK Trade and Investment and the British Council, is committed to growing the innovation, skills and talent existing in this dynamic sector.

In 2015, British Council launched UK / Nigeria 2015 – 16, starting September 2015, with the core period ending in April 2016 and legacy till March 2017. The programme aims to capitalise on both countries’ desire to grow the creative industries towards securing a prosperous future for both countries. The programme is providing opportunities on both sides for new collaborations and partnerships; between industry and culture, between technology and the arts and between the UK and Nigeria in both the public and private sector that will create and stimulate prosperity for artists in the UK and Nigeria. Equally important is the exchange of knowledge and ideas that can only lead to growth for individuals and for the creative industries in both countries and catalyse social change.

The programme features over thirty projects across all art forms and will achieve the following outcomes:

• Increased interest in creative and cultural activities and outputs through increased, innovative and improved practice in the creation, distribution and management of arts and culture in Nigeria
• The UK and Nigeria mutually recognise each other as a credible and relevant partner for collaboration in the creative and cultural sector

Further information on UK/Nigeria 2015-16 can be found at: http://www.britishcouncil.org.ng/uk-nigeria-2015-16

Rationale and Purpose of the Research

The reason for this research is to provide a top level, rapid assessment of the skills landscape in the creative industries in Nigeria by investigating skills supply and demand side factors across the sector including in film, television, radio, photography, publishing, animation, content for computer games, cultural heritage, design, music, performing and visual arts, craft, fashion and textiles.

Our overall aim is to use the insight developed through the research to initiate and guide discussions with partners regarding areas to focus on in order for Nigeria to collaborate effectively with the UK and other international partners, to develop the competitiveness of the Nigerian Cultural and Creative Industries by boosting the capacity of the workforce.

Research Objectives

The aim of the research will be:

• To identify and list current training providers (academic and vocational) across the cultural and creative economy in Nigeria, what courses they offer and how these benchmark against the UK Creative Economy skills frameworks. This benchmark should be used to make an inference of the quality of the creative workforce in Nigeria.
• Analyse demand and supply of skills in the industry outlining gaps, shortages,  supply of academic and vocational skills through the educations system and workforce development.
• Carry out a rapid assessment of the creative education and cultural and creative  industries skills landscape in Nigeria using SWOT or similar methodology

Suggested Approach & Research Target(s)

It is envisaged that this research project shall carried out as follows:

February 2016: Use secondary research to identify training providers and skills pathways (academic and vocational) across the Nigerian creative industries value chain.  Benchmark these against known UK creative skills frameworks.

March 2016: Visit to Nigeria to hold one on one discussions and focus groups with training institutions and creative sector firms focusing on Abuja, Lagos and Calabar to further strengthen the initial secondary research.

April 1st 2016: Present report on rapid assessment of the creative education and cultural and creative industries skills landscape in Nigeria using SWOT or similar methodology

Timing: The report is required for use in April 2016 at a planned Interministerial conference and so there is limited flexibility in the timelines outlined above.

Reporting Requirements

British Council Nigeria will require one written report as the output from this project. The reports must be clear, written in plain, accessible, everyday language, manageable and user-friendly.

The reports will be shared with partners in the public and private sector in Nigeria and the UK and disseminated through different online and offline channels.

The main volume of the report and any appendix volumes should be produced as an electronic editable document in Microsoft Word.

Copyright for the report will be assigned to British Council Nigeria.

Existing research or other information

In addition to the consultant’s own secondary research, there are existing reports which will be provided for the delivery of the consultancy as follows:

• Growth Strategies for the Nigerian Creative Economy: A Green Paper for Nigeria By and For the Next Generation, British Council, January 2015
• Mapping of Nigeria Creative Industries: Report of Lagos Pilot Study (Music, Fashion, and Film), British Council, November 2013                               
• The British Council’s Cultural and Creative Economy Programme: An evaluation of its implementation in Nigeria, British Council, May 2013
• The Untold Story of Growth and Employment Potential in Nigeria's Entertainment Industry, A Discussion Paper, World Bank, May 2011

Proposals

The closing date for proposals is 18th January 2016

Respondents are asked to outline:

• Their proposed methodology (in the context of the recommend approach), budget and proposed dates for travel to Nigeria.
• Their relevant skills and experience conducting similar work preferably outside the UK
• The details of the team members including their relevant experience and professional qualifications

Proposals should be emailed to the Ojoma.ochai@ng.britishcouncil.org
Research proposals should be submitted by Noon (GMT +1) on Monday 18th January 2016.

We will notify applicants that we would like to interview on 19th January, conduct interviews on 21st and 22nd January 2016 and notify the successful research team within two days of their interview.

Budget

There is an all-inclusive budget of £10k (plus VAT) available for this research. This will cover research fees, planning, meetings, travel, mailings, stationery and other materials and resources as required.
Proposals should itemise daily or hourly rates and demonstrate how many days or hour each consultant / researcher / administrator will spend on the project and what each person’s key responsibilities will be.

Contact Name and Number

If you would like to discuss this brief prior to submitting a proposal please contact Ojoma Ochai using the contact details outlined above.