Ilorin, Kwara State The atmosphere was charged with energy, ideas, and inspiration as over a hundred creative professionals gathered for the first-ever Kwara Creatives Hangout, a historic event that has now evolved into a community-driven movement shaping the future of creativity in Kwara State.
Held at Lavender Garden, beside Noktel Hotel, GRA Ilorin, the Hangout brought together an impressive mix of talents filmmakers, photographers, designers, content creators, journalists, fashion entrepreneurs, tech innovators, writers, and entertainers all under one goal: to connect, collaborate, and build a stronger creative ecosystem in Kwara.
The initiative was spearheaded by Habeeb Shuaib Ishowo, popularly known as Justice Visual, a renowned filmmaker and media strategist who also serves as the Creative Director of Kwara Must Change (KMC).
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In his opening remarks, Habeeb expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming turnout, saying:“We expected around 30 people based on the poll we ran, but to see more than 100 creatives show up from different industries it was mind-blowing.
This is more than a Hangout; it’s a movement. Kwara truly has one of the strongest creative communities in Nigeria.”
He further spoke about the vision of Kwara Creatives as a community built to promote creativity, drive collaboration, and connect talents across fields.
“Kwara Creatives is not just a group it’s a hub for innovation, storytelling, and growth.
Our goal is to create opportunities, host meaningful conversations, and build a bridge that connects the local creative scene to national and global opportunities,” he added.
The Hangout saw powerful engagements and open discussions about challenges facing the creative industry ranging from underpricing and unhealthy competition to lack of government attention and limited collaboration.
Attendees also explored ways to build partnerships, develop skills, and establish sustainable creative businesses within the state.
The event featured several prominent personalities, including Fridaus, Hamdah, and Rofiat Abdulsalam (leading tech and lifestyle content creators), Mr. Ayelagbgan ( Just Event) a journalist and founder of one of the biggest blogs in the state, Mr. Bashir Luqman, a respected youth leader and writer, Comr. Abdullah Sanni, a photojournalist, Dr. Ben, and Abbey Creative, a filmmaker and video editor.
Even those who couldn’t attend in person, like Mr. Taiwo Hassan (Big Bro), contributed virtually, sharing inspiring words that fueled the collective energy of the day.
What started as a simple hangout quickly turned into a powerful conversation about the future of Kwara’s creative sector — a future built on unity, mentorship, and shared purpose.
The interaction, brainstorming, and storytelling from different creative fields revealed the depth of talent within the state and the hunger for a structured, supportive system.For many participants, it wasn’t just another social gathering, it was a defining moment.
The event has now set the stage for more — with Kwara Creatives planning future Hangouts, a State Creative Conference, and a Cross-Industry Festival that will spotlight creativity across filmmaking, music, tech, fashion, and design.
As the convener, Habeeb Ishowo described the experience as “the birth of a new creative era in Kwara.”“We’ve proven that when creatives unite, magic happens.
This movement is just beginning, and the next step is to keep the fire burning—through collaborations, storytelling, and impact.”
With the success of the first edition, Kwara Creatives Community has positioned itself as a leading platform empowering young minds and redefining creativity in Kwara State.
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