The IFON One Beat Talent Hunt has called on the Federal Government and state governments to prioritise the creative potential of youths in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps instead of relying solely on the distribution of relief materials.
The organisation said displaced youths possess enormous talents that can be harnessed for economic empowerment and national development if given the right opportunities.
In a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer of IFON Creative, Mrs Noni Okocha, cited the success story of Mohammed Abubakar, popularly known as OG Abbah, as evidence that creativity can thrive even in difficult circumstances.
Okocha said Abubakar, a recording artiste and humanitarian advocate, was discovered through IFON Creative’s One Beat Talent Hunt while living in an IDP camp.
She noted that from those humble beginnings, he had built a successful music career and become a symbol of hope, resilience and opportunity for young people affected by displacement.
According to her, the story of OG Abbah has opened a fresh conversation on how Nigeria can move beyond conventional humanitarian assistance towards unlocking the creative and economic potential of displaced youths.
“Displacement may disrupt a young person’s education, security and stability, but it does not have to extinguish talent or ambition,” she said.
Okocha urged governments, humanitarian organisations and private-sector partners to adopt a broader approach to humanitarian interventions by combining immediate relief with deliberate efforts to identify, nurture and connect talented young people to Nigeria’s growing creative economy.
“Our country must begin to look beyond displaced people as mere recipients of humanitarian assistance. These are people with talents, skills, ideas and economic potential. Displacement should not erase a young person’s potential,” she said.
She disclosed that IFON had seen young people in IDP communities discover their talents through music, while displaced women had transformed ordinary materials into creative products and children had used painting and other forms of art to express their experiences.
According to her, Nigeria’s creative industry should become an integral part of humanitarian empowerment programmes.
“Relief keeps people alive, but opportunity gives people a future,” Okocha stated.
She said sectors such as music, fashion, visual arts, film, painting and design could provide displaced youths with skills, confidence, income opportunities and access to the wider creative economy.
Okocha said the experience of OG Abbah showed that talent exists beyond major cities and established creative hubs.
“Talent can exist inside an IDP camp. Talent can exist in a refugee community. Talent can exist in the trenches. The difference is whether somebody is willing to look for it,” she added.
IFON called on the Federal Government, humanitarian agencies, creative institutions and private organisations to establish structured empowerment programmes in displaced and underserved communities.
The organisation said such programmes should include talent identification, mentorship, professional training, networking opportunities and platforms for young creatives to showcase their work.
According to IFON, the ultimate goal should be to connect creativity with sustainable livelihoods and meaningful participation in the economy.
The organisation also noted that the conversation had extended beyond Nigeria, with OG Abbah recently participating in an art workshop for refugees and young people in Derby, United Kingdom, organised in collaboration with Think Artist Organisation.
The initiative, IFON said, is opening opportunities for collaboration between Nigeria and the UK in supporting displaced communities through creative empowerment.
For the organisation, the success of OG Abbah is only the beginning.
“OG Abbah is the evidence. The next step is to build the pathway for others,” IFON stated.
