CREATIVE ART AND DESIGN IN NIGERIA AT 63: CONTRIBUTIONS, PROSPECTS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES

This study provides an in-depth examination of the role and impact of creative art and design in Nigeria at sixty-three years of independence, focusing on its contributions to cultural preservation, national identity, economic development, and the challenges posed by technological integration. Using a qualitative, studio-based approach, the research incorporates reflective practice, critical analysis of creative outputs, and semi-structured discussions with practicing Nigerian artists and designers across visual arts, graphic design, fashion, and digital media. The study situates these creative practices within theoretical frameworks such as Cultural Economy Theory and Technological Determinism, providing a lens to explore how creative production interacts with socio-economic structures and technological advancement. Findings reveal that creative art and design play a central role in shaping cultural narratives, providing platforms for social commentary, and supporting livelihood creation through formal and informal economic activities. However, challenges related to access to digital tools, infrastructural limitations, inadequate policy support, and limited professional training constrain the sector’s full potential. Despite these obstacles, emerging hybrid practices and digital platforms offer opportunities for broader reach, enhanced visibility, and sustainable engagement within the creative economy. By emphasizing practice-led research and integrating studio-based insights with theoretical and socio-economic analysis, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the creative sector’s significance in Nigeria’s development landscape. The research underscores the need for policy reforms, targeted educational strategies, and technological investment to enable creative art and design to fully realize their cultural, social, and economic potential in contemporary Nigeria.