By Chioma Obinagwam
Providus Bank and Polaris Bank have joined as sponsors of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit, adding to the support from First Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria LNG (NLNG), and Shell for this significant event.
Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, publishers of QEDNG, told Confiance News about the new sponsorships in a statement on Friday, while highlighting the strong endorsement of Nigeria’s creative sector.
Olumide Iyanda, CEO of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited and summit convener, praised Providus Bank’s dedication to creativity. “Providus Bank’s support is a demonstration of its strong commitment to promoting the creative industry,” Iyanda said. “Through its partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the N5billion Creative Fund, the bank has supported filmmakers and other creatives.”
Iyanda noted that the Creative Fund offers a flexible and accessible financing model to address traditional banking challenges, aiming to simplify funding for creators while ensuring accountability and long-term impact. “By joining us as a sponsor, Providus Bank is reaffirming that creativity is not just an art; it is a serious business that can grow jobs, drive innovation and shape our economy,” he added.
Providus Bank also supports creativity, culture, and community through initiatives like the World Poetry Day celebration and The Hive.
On Polaris Bank, Iyanda highlighted its N1.5 billion Creative Sector Fund, launched with Woodhall Capital, the Lagos State Government, and the United Kingdom, to provide structured financing for entrepreneurs in fashion, film, music, and digital content. “Polaris Bank’s work in this space is a perfect fit for what we are doing,” Iyanda said. “They are investing in people who have the ideas, the talent and the drive to tell authentic stories, build strong brands and export Nigerian culture to the world.”
He also commended Polaris Bank’s Creative Currency Podcast, saying, “The podcast is a smart move. It connects creatives with those who can fund, guide, and open doors for them. That is exactly the kind of bridge we want this summit to build.”
FirstBank, NLNG, and Shell also back the summit. Iyanda noted that FirstBank’s support aligns with its First@arts initiative, which finances and promotes Nigerian creatives and cultural events. NLNG is recognized for its prestigious prizes in literature, science, and literary criticism, while Shell’s involvement reflects its focus on education and community development.
Confiance News gathered that the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, starting at 10:00 a.m. Themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy,” the event will bring together creatives, investors, policymakers, and business leaders to discuss practical solutions to funding challenges in Nigeria’s creative industries.
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