Kanem Creative Board

DG, Center for Black and African Arts and Civilisation

Hon. Aisha Adamu Augie is a renowned advocate for the Creative and Cultural Sector in Africa.
She is a Nigerian photographer, filmmaker, and creative artist. She is recognised for her visionary approach in harnessing Creativity and Communication to effect meaningful change, a driving force behind various community-building and value-creation initiatives.

Aisha is multifaceted, with relevant experience as an entrepreneur. She has worked within multiple industries in the private sector before delving into public service in Nigeria; for the past 9 years as an advisor to leaders on both the subnational and national levels of government. She is a bridge builder between these sectors and engages in development initiatives and policy creation with emphasis on youth and women empowerment, amongst other causes.

She is a graduate of Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and holds an MBA from Hult International Business School, London. Additionally, she has certifications in Digital Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy and in Curating Contemporary Art Exhibitions from Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts, London. She is also certified in Gender and Security Studies.

She currently serves as the Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), an agency under the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy. Previously, she was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning and also served as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kebbi State, specializing in Digital Communications and New Media Strategy.

She is a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and an Associate at the Nigeria Leadership Institute (NLI). In addition to her government roles, she has held various non-profit board appointments, including serving on the advisory board of CARE.org and CURE Africa.

As the former CEO of The 1960 Company, a media and marketing firm, she made significant contributions to the industry. Her achievements have been recognized both locally and internationally, including being named among the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD 100) in 2019 and recently listed by Leading Ladies Africa as one of the Top 40 Women Redefining Leadership in Northern Nigeria (2024).

Notably, she made history as the first female to contest for the Federal House of Representatives seat in the Argungu-Augie Constituency of Kebbi State.

Photographer

Emmanuel Otokpa is an Abuja-based photographer specializing in weddings and portraiture. With many years of experience in the industry, he has honed his craft, capturing timeless moments with a keen eye for detail and storytelling. His work extends beyond personal photography, having collaborated with clients across various sectors, delivering high-quality visual content tailored to their needs. Emmanuel’s dedication to excellence and creativity has made him a trusted name in the photography space.

DG, National Gallery of Art

Ahmed Bashir Sodangi, born in Kaduna State, Nigeria, is the current Director General of the National Gallery of Art (NGA), a position he assumed in March 2024. He holds a Master’s Degree in Management and International Business from Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (Management) from the American University of Nigeria (AUN). Throughout his career, Ahmed has developed a diverse and extensive skill set in negotiation, team building, leadership, strategic planning, and management. 

During his time at the Bank of Industry Ltd (BOI), he happened to be an integral part of the Projects Office in the SME Directorate. His responsibilities included processing credit applications, generating deal flows, managing loan recovery and collection, and overseeing both performing and non-performing loans. Ahmed also played a crucial role in administering and implementing approved projects across various state offices, including Ogun, Niger, Lagos, and Kaduna. 

Before joining the Bank of Industry, Ahmed served as the Operations and Charter Manager at IZMM Global Aviation Ltd from 2015 to 2018 and worked in the Admin Department of Songhai Aviation Ltd from 2013 to 2014. 

Complementing his professional experience, Ahmed has pursued various training programs in Personal Leadership & Emotional Intelligence, Credit Analysis, Project Appraisal, Business Etiquette, Micro-credit Financing, and more. He is recognized for his effective use of emotional intelligence, fluency in English and Hausa, and a strong commitment to teamwork and project management. 

Outside of his professional life, Ahmed is an avid polo player and has volunteered as the Treasurer of Kaduna Polo Club, further demonstrating his dedication to delivering projects efficiently and on time.