The African School of Economics (ASE) recently hosted the Global South Arts in Health Week Nigeria Pavilion, facilitating a town hall meeting with key stakeholders to address pivotal issues within the arts and health sectors both regionally and globally.

Attendees included Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Federal Minister for Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy; Christopher Bailey, WHO Arts and Health Lead (Switzerland); Arc. Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, former First Lady of Kaduna State and CEO of Almara Creative Group; Obinna Obiwulu, Country Director of ASE Nigeria; Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji, Vice Chancellor of ASE Nigeria; Hajiya Kaltume Gana, Director General of the National Troupe of Nigeria; Dr. Emem Omokaro, Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre (Abuja); and Oyindamola F., Director of Special Projects at the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship and Artistic Director at the Centre for Contemporary Art (Lagos). Many other distinguished guests also attended the forum.

This event provided a valuable platform for Nigerian community members, policymakers, and experts to evaluate ongoing initiatives and explore innovative solutions. Discussions centered around integrating artistic approaches into healthcare frameworks and promoting cross-sector collaboration to enhance community well-being through arts-based initiatives.

At ASE, we are proud to pioneer the intersections between arts and other economic sectors for growth and advancement. This is part of our ongoing commitment to unveiling Africa’s authentic cultural identity through scholarly research, creative expression, and strategic partnerships.

We remain dedicated to supporting African experts and artisans in preserving and promoting the continent’s rich history, art, and cultural diversity. By sharing both lesser-known and iconic elements of African heritage, we aim to foster global understanding and pride in Africa’s remarkable legacy.