Broda Shaggi Urges Creatives to Recognize Intellectual Property as the New Crude Oil of Wealth Creation

 

Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Broda Shaggi, has taken a strong stance on a pressing issue that continues to affect the creative industry across the country – the struggle for funding. With the rise of digital platforms and an explosion of talent, one might assume creatives have it easier today, but the entertainer believes the real challenge lies far beyond skill and innovation.

Creatives in Nigeria, despite being some of the most dynamic and inventive in Africa, continue to grapple with a lack of access to financial support. Broda Shaggi, known for his viral skits and memorable roles in Nollywood, spoke openly about this hurdle and offered a possible solution rooted in the value of intellectual property.

Speaking through a post shared on his official Instagram page, the actor shed light on the potential that lies dormant in the very thing creatives produce every day – content. He emphasized that intellectual property (IP), when properly identified and leveraged, can be the key to unlocking significant funding, opening the door for sustainable growth in the industry.

Drawing a bold comparison, Shaggi likened creative content to crude oil. Just like crude, he explained, raw ideas and artistic expression possess enormous value that often remains untapped. The difference is in how these resources are developed and used. While Nigeria has built an entire economy around petroleum, he urged the country and its creative minds to start seeing content in the same light – as a strategic resource that can fuel careers, businesses, and entire industries.

The entertainer recently attended an event hosted by the CREAM Platform, where intellectual discourse centered on the role of IP in transforming the financial landscape for creators. According to him, the conversations held were not just informative but potentially life-changing for anyone willing to rethink how they treat their creative work.

“One of the biggest hurdles we face in the creative world isn’t talent or ideas, it’s access to funding,” Shaggi wrote in his post. “So here’s the real question. How can we, as creatives, unlock financing by leveraging our Intellectual Property (IP) as collateral?”

He went on to highlight the key message from the event, stating that content should no longer be viewed as mere entertainment or art. Instead, it should be recognized as an asset class in itself, much like oil or real estate. Shaggi expressed hope that creatives would adopt a new mindset that positions their content as bankable property.

The idea is revolutionary yet practical. Across the globe, artists and innovators are finding ways to protect, license, and monetize their IP. Nigeria, with its vast pool of storytellers, musicians, visual artists, comedians, and filmmakers, has every reason to lead the charge in Africa. However, many creators remain unaware of the legal and financial frameworks that could help them turn their content into capital.

By positioning IP as collateral, creatives could potentially gain access to loans, investment opportunities, and partnerships that would otherwise be out of reach. This would not only empower individual talents but also strengthen the entire ecosystem by encouraging innovation, consistency, and business-minded thinking.

Broda Shaggi’s message serves as both a wake-up call and a guidepost. His words speak directly to the heart of the creative struggle and offer a way forward that doesn’t rely solely on sponsorships or brand deals. Instead, he encourages creatives to become owners of their work and stewards of their intellectual wealth.

“Keep creating,” he concluded. “Your IP isn’t just art, it’s an asset. One that can open doors to millions, even billions.”

The conversation sparked by Shaggi’s post reflects a growing awareness among Nigerian creatives that success is no longer just about going viral or trending online. It’s about longevity, structure, and most importantly, understanding the true worth of what one creates.

As the creative industry continues to evolve, voices like Broda Shaggi’s are helping to shape a future where artists are not just seen, but also valued – financially and institutionally. The time has come for content to be more than entertainment; it must become a foundation for economic power.