Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have demonstrated their creativity, skills and capacity for leadership at the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND), with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and Discovering Ability with Persons with Disabilities (DADI) leading efforts to promote inclusion in Africa’s creative industry.
The event, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre in Lagos under the theme, “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World,” brought together creative professionals, investors and stakeholders to explore opportunities for growth, investment and professional development across Africa’s creative economy.
On the second day of the gathering, persons with disabilities participated in various activities, including storytelling, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and creative masterclasses, the Music Hub Masterclass and the CANEX Summit.
Among the participants was Nnamdi Maxwell, a person with a disability, who took part in the Storytelling, AI and Creative Masterclasses to acquire new skills and explore opportunities in emerging creative technologies.
Similarly, Daniel, who is blind, participated in the Music Hub Masterclass alongside Samuel, a person with a physical disability. Their participation highlighted the importance of accessible music education, collaboration and equal opportunities in the creative industry.
At the CANEX Summit, Mr. Lawrence Idemudia, Director of Social Integration at the NCPWD, who is deaf, and Mr. Karo Bulus also participated in discussions on Africa’s creative economy, investment and cultural policy.
The Commission described the active involvement of PWDs as a demonstration that disability should not prevent individuals from accessing creative opportunities, acquiring professional skills or contributing meaningfully to cultural and economic development.
According to the NCPWD, the participation of persons with disabilities at CANEX WKND 2026 reflects its commitment to translating its inclusion mandate into practical opportunities through skills development, networking and international collaboration.
The Commission further emphasised that when barriers are removed and opportunities are made accessible, persons with disabilities can compete, innovate and take leadership positions across different sectors of the creative economy.
The development reinforces the growing call for disability inclusion in Africa’s creative industry, with stakeholders urged to ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised not merely as beneficiaries of inclusion programmes but as active contributors to the continent’s cultural and economic advancement.
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