An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert and Chief Executive Officer of Learning 247, Mr. Alexander Uzoma, has called on unemployed youths in the South-East and across Nigeria to embrace the fast-growing creator economy as a pathway to financial independence and sustainable employment.
Uzoma made the call on Monday in Enugu while briefing journalists ahead of the Creators Summit, scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC). The summit is being organised by Learning 247 in partnership with Hallos, a digital platform focused on empowering content creators.
He said the rapid expansion of the global creator economy presents enormous opportunities for youth employment and economic inclusion, urging young people to move beyond the traditional pursuit of scarce white-collar jobs.
“Not everyone has to be a doctor or engineer – those roles remain important – but the opportunities in the creator economy are real and expanding,” Uzoma said.
“A major part of our work today is sensitizing communities about how youths can engage meaningfully with this industry,” he added.
Uzoma challenged rigid societal expectations that define career success solely within conventional professions, encouraging parents and communities to rethink long-standing perceptions about viable career paths.
While noting that platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, and Twitch have opened up unprecedented monetisation opportunities, he observed that many creators still struggle to earn sustainable incomes due to poor strategy, limited skills, and a lack of structured support.
He cited global content creators such as MrBeast, Kai Cenat, and IShowSpeed, as well as Nigerian creators including Carter Efe and Peller, as examples of how scalable and lucrative the industry can be when properly harnessed.
According to Uzoma, the creator economy extends far beyond entertainment and live streaming. It encompasses podcasting, education, gaming, digital design, and social commerce, forming a broad and dynamic digital employment ecosystem.
Referencing industry research, he said the global creator economy was valued at over $200 billion in 2025, with projections estimating growth to about $480 billion by 2027, driven by improved platform monetisation models, brand partnerships, and creator-focused digital tools.
“One of the strongest advantages of this industry is its low entry barrier,” he said. “With basic digital skills and a smartphone, young people can participate in a global market without geographical limitations.
“You can export your culture and content to audiences in the USA, China, Canada, Russia, and beyond without leaving your home. The internet removes geographical limits.”
Uzoma outlined the sector’s value chain, explaining that content creation fuels employment across multiple layers. Core roles include influencers, musicians, educators, streamers, designers, and gamers, while supporting roles span video editors, scriptwriters, social media managers, brand managers, photographers, sound engineers, and merchandise manufacturers.
“Platform infrastructure also depends on software developers, data analysts, moderators, and marketing teams,” he noted.
He stressed that the interconnected ecosystem supports thousands of jobs beyond individual creators, positioning the creator economy as a serious business and employment engine rather than a casual side hustle.
Uzoma pointed to initiatives in Lagos, where creator economy training has been integrated into youth development programmes, and said Enugu was deliberately selected to host the summit to ensure that the South-East is not left behind in the emerging digital economy.
“This industry matters for Nigeria’s youth because it offers an alternative to dependency on government jobs or oversaturated traditional fields. With the right skills, creators can build careers and generate income independently,” he said.
He also introduced the Hallos Platform, designed to provide creators with infrastructure, monetisation pathways, and revenue optimisation tools, allowing them to focus on content production while maximising earnings.
Uzoma called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, startup ecosystems, and investors to expand digital skills training, provide creator grants, support equipment financing, improve internet access, and establish dedicated creator hubs nationwide.
He said the long-term goal of the partnership is to train millions of African youths to become creators, digital entrepreneurs, remote workers, and cultural exporters.
“The creator economy has moved beyond entertainment,” Uzoma concluded. “It is now a global employment ecosystem that is reshaping how people work and earn.”
