Nigeria and Brazil Deepen Cultural Ties in Landmark Creative Industry Exchange 

Nigeria and Brazil Deepen Cultural Ties in Landmark Creative Industry Exchange

In a display of cultural diplomacy, the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, in partnership with Filmhouse Group, welcomed a high-powered Brazilian delegation to Lagos this week. Hosted at Filmhouse Cinemas – IMAX, Lekki, the visit marked a strategic push to deepen bilateral ties through the creative economy.

Cultural Visit Fegho Umunubo Kene Okwuosa and Vincent Okonkwo

The delegation, composed of senior government officials and entertainment industry leaders from Brazil, engaged with prominent Nigerian stakeholders to explore partnerships across film, music, and the arts. Central to the mission was a shared reverence for Yoruba heritage, a cultural thread linking both nations through centuries of history and migration.

The guests, sponsored by Filmhouse Group, embarked on a curated tour of Lagos’s cultural landmarks, including the Oba of Oniru’s Palace, the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Terra Kulture, and the Lekki Arts and Crafts Market. At each stop, Brazil’s affinity for Nigerian culture, particularly Yoruba traditions, was underscored as a foundation for creative exchange.

“This visit is more than symbolic; it’s a turning point,” said Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group, which oversees Filmhouse Cinemas, FilmOne Entertainment, and FilmOne Studios. “Nigeria and Brazil are not strangers. We’re cultural siblings with shared stories and creative energy. At Filmhouse, we see storytelling as a bridge, one that connects nations, drives economic growth, and reframes how the world sees Africa.”

At a reception held at the IMAX cinema in Lekki, the delegation received an in-depth presentation on Nigeria’s entertainment landscape, spotlighting box office growth, emerging production infrastructure, and opportunities for co-productions and distribution. Okwuosa used the occasion to reaffirm the group’s commitment to building international partnerships rooted in mutual benefit and creative excellence.

“Our creative economy holds untapped value,” he told Channels TV. “We are ready to lead meaningful collaborations that unlock that value, not just for Nigeria, but for the Global South.”

For George Maha, Institutional and Government Relations Specialist at ApexBrasil, the visit carried personal resonance. “I was born here in Lagos. I am Nigerian. But this goes beyond personal history; there’s Brazil, there are Afro-Brazilians, and there’s a connection we haven’t fully embraced. Now is the time.”

Rachel Maia, CEO of RM Cia 360, echoed that call for deeper ties: “I’ve partnered with American, Danish, and French brands. Now I want to build with Nigerians. We don’t need to ask about each other’s history or favours; we both bring quality and ambition. Let’s make something powerful together.”

The delegation, which included representatives from Brazil’s Ministry of Culture and top figures from its media and entertainment sectors, praised Nigeria’s creative vibrancy and expressed strong interest in long-term investment, talent exchange, and joint content development.

The visit signals a new chapter in Nigeria-Brazil relations, one anchored not only in shared heritage but also in the boundless possibilities of cultural commerce. With Lagos emerging as a leading creative hub, the groundwork is now set for a transatlantic alliance shaped by storytelling, innovation, and mutual respect.

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