Oluwa Ican drives youth creativity with The Wireless Gig platform

2026-03-08 - 06:16

By Ayo Onikoyi Paschal Ikenna Aka, popularly known as Oluwa Ican, is gaining recognition for promoting youth creativity through his fast-growing initiative, The Wireless Gig, a platform designed to provide mentorship, exposure and opportunities for emerging talents. The initiative, which began as a campus-based idea in Port Harcourt, has developed into a multi-city creative community linking young talents across Nigeria and other parts of the world. Ican, a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Rivers State University, first established Blackarts Entertainment while still a student. The group operated as a student collective aimed at discovering and promoting budding artistes within the university community. He said the project was inspired by the need to provide structure and guidance for the growing number of young creatives who lacked access to mentorship and industry direction. The early effort later evolved into the “Giving Back to the Arts” project, which brought together media professionals, brand strategists and cultural figures to engage students through workshops and panel discussions. The concept later developed into The Wireless Gig, which Ican officially launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its launch, the platform has expanded beyond Port Harcourt to cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu and Warri. It has also extended its presence internationally, with communities in Canada, Dubai and the United Kingdom. As part of its initiatives, the community introduced the Wireless Grand Bazaar in Abuja, a marketplace designed to connect creators directly with consumers, brands and potential investors. The event provides young entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase and commercialise their creative work. The Wireless Gig has also collaborated with industry organisations including Mavin Records and Red Bull on youth-focused programmes. The platform has participated in several lifestyle and entertainment events such as Mainland Block Party, Johnnie Walker brand activations, Tiger Beer experiential campaigns and Amala Fest. In addition, the initiative has organised advocacy conversations including the “Campaign for Creatives in the Diaspora,” which aims to connect African-based talents with global industry stakeholders. Participants in the discussions have included UK-based Afrobeats journalist Gracey Mae and Nollywood talent manager Mautin Tairu. Despite the platform’s growth, Ican said mentorship remains central to its mission, with annual outreach programmes, training sessions and advisory engagements designed to help young creatives navigate the industry. With the African creative economy attracting increasing global attention, Ican believes platforms such as The Wireless Gig can help nurture a new generation of cultural entrepreneurs and industry leaders.