Management
OBI ASIKA
Director General
OBI ASIKA
Obi Asika is the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), appointed in January 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is a visionary leader in Nigeria’s creative sector, with over three decades of experience spanning music, media, policy, and cultural diplomacy.
He is the founder of Storm 360, a pioneering entertainment company that helped launch the careers of major Nigerian artists like Naeto C, Sasha P, and Ikechukwu. Asika is also the co-founder of Social Media Week Lagos, Africa’s largest innovation and technology conference. In addition, he has produced major TV formats including Big Brother Nigeria, The Apprentice Africa, and Dragons’ Den Nigeria.
A graduate of the University of Warwick with an LLB, Asika has served in numerous public roles, including Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media and Chairman of the Federal Government’s Audience Measurement Committee. He is also a board member of the Nigerian Olympic Committee and a trustee of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art.
The DG has initiated robust programmes as well as participated in engaging partnerships and diplomatic relations geared at making the art and culture sector better. Some of his flagship programmes are ORIGINS and ICE (Innovations, Creativity and Entrepreneurship) which aim at giving the art, culture and creative industry a better global packaging and presentation. Mr. Asika is also working on bringing up an online cultural inventory which promises to serve as an encyclopaedia on everything culture. His leadership continues to shape the narrative of African excellence in arts and culture.
In 2015, Obi Asika became the first person appointed by the President to a Cabinet-rank position overseeing the portfolio of digital policy and social media. He has served on more than 15 Government committees across different Administrations since 2006, including Chairman, Technical Sub-Committee of the Federal Government of Nigeria Audience Measurement Committee, 2020; National Coordinator, Technical Working Group, Culture, Creativity, Hospitality & Tourism, Nigeria Agenda 2050; Member, Review of Nigeria Broadcast Corporation Code 2020 and Member, Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Olympic Committee since 2022.
Obi Asika has also contributed to the development of the creative and cultural space through his leadership as a founding director of the board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Trustee, Online Publishing Association of Nigeria, co-founder of the Africa Soft Power Project and founder of Iba Ajie arts and innovation hub in Onitsha. Mr Asika also served as part of the core private sector leaders who collaborated to give birth to the National Start up Act., He is the convener of The Omniverse which is driving cross sector collaboration driven by the technology, start up and creative industries.
An internationally renowned thought-leader on the African creative and cultural inidustries, Obi Asika was appointed in 2014 to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. and currently sits on the board of Africa No Filter and DAAR Communications. Additionally, he is a regular public speaker and he has been a speaker of panelist for major forums including presentations at the London Business School, Harvard Business School, Wharton School of Business, MIT, Corporate Council on Africa USA-Africa Summit, Soccerex, The Nigerian Economic Summit, The NBA conference, Wimbiz among others.
A recipient of numerous local and international honours, Obi Asika was recognized by the African Leadership Network in 2012; he was named by top US publication Black Enterprise as one of their 100 Modern Men in 2016, and inducted into the Afrobeats Hall of Fame in 2021.
Mr Asika is happily married to Yets Asika and they are blessed with Nuli their wonderful daughter.
Mr Asika holds the ancient traditional title of Ojinnaka from the Agbalanze Ozo Society of Onitsha which he took in 1994.
His appointment as DG was announced by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on January 12th, 2024.
Rosemary A. Urrah
Director, Special Duties
Rosemary Ada Urrah was born on 18 June 1967 in Otukpo, Benue State. She attended Saint Mary’s Primary School and subsequently obtained the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts (Acting) from Benue State University and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Security and Strategic Studies from Nasarawa State University. She joined the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in 1992 and has served in various capacities within the Council. Prior to her posting to the Special Duties Department in 2025, she served as Director of the Performing Arts Department.
Sanusi Shuaibu Abdullahi
Director of Finance and Accounts
Sanusi Shuaibu Abdullahi was born on 31st March, 1966 in Jos, Plateau State. He attended Naraguta LSB, Baptist High School and university of Jos, Plateau State.He also attended school of Leather Technology, Zaria as well as University of Calabar. He is a certified National Accountant and presently the Director of Finance and Accounts, National Council for Arts & Culture.
Bashir M. Hamisu
Director, Extension Services
Bashir M. Hamisu is a Cultural Officer and an expert in Stakeholder Management and Strategic Partnerships. Born in February 1969, he holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Planning and Protection from the University of Abuja, Nigeria. He joined the service of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in 1998 as a Research Officer, where he contributed to the development and conservation of the Council’s Herbal Gardens. Over the years, he has participated in numerous national and international summits, workshops, and capacity-building programmes focusing on cultural exchange, cultural development, institutional strengthening, and human resource development. He is in charge of Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholders Management.
Rosemary Ada Urrah
Director Performing Arts
Born on 18th June 1967, in Otukpo, Benue State. Attended Saint Mary primary school. Attended College of Education(NCE) Katsina – Ala, Benue State, also attended Benue State University, obtained a Bachelor degree . B.A Theatre Arts (Acting) and Nasarawa State University, obtained Msc in Security and Strategic Studies (in view).
Joined NCAC in 1992.
Susan O. Ogohi
Director, Performing Arts
Susan Ojoma Ogohi holds a Master’s Degree in Media Arts, a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts, and a Diploma in Mass Communication. She is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Throughout her career, she has served the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in various capacities, including Director of the Corporate and Strategic Planning Department. As Director of the Performing Arts Department, she is responsible for initiating, planning, coordinating, monitoring, and implementing the Council’s programmes and activities in the performing arts sector. She also oversees the administration, execution, and evaluation of projects carried out by the Department.
Mrs. Susan Ojoma Ogohi
Acting Director Corporate and Strategic Planning Department
Qualifications: M.A : Media Arts, B.A : Theatre Arts, Diploma in Mass communication
Skills: Team management, Media Relations, Protocol and event management, interpersonal communications, Strategic thinking and Creativity.
Passion: Meeting people, Travelling, Listening to music and singing .
Goals: To effectively communicate the organisation goals, mission, values, Mandate
Dr. Safiya Sani
Director, Corporate & Strategic Planning
Dr. Safiya Sani holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Environmental Resource Planning from the University of Abuja. Prior to her appointment as Director of the Corporate and Strategic Planning Department, she served as Deputy Director of the Extension Services Department. Dr. Safiya is a member of the Nigerian Geographical Association and has served in several strategic national capacities, including Team Lead for the National Monitoring and Evaluation of Independent Monitors (North Central), Member of the Technical Working Group for the development of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2020 – 2025), and Member of the Federal Cares Technical Committee (FCTC). She has also participated in numerous national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops, including a professional course on Chinese Culture and Economy in Beijing, China.
Vivien I. Onyeabo
Director, Human Resources
Vivien I. Onyeabo has over two and a half decades of professional experience in the arts, culture, and creative sector. Throughout her career with the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), she has served in various capacities, particularly in planning, monitoring, and statistics. She was the pioneer Director of the Corporate Services and Establishment Department (CS&ED) before her redeployment to the Human Resources Management Department. She has also participated in an international conference in Shenzhen, China. The Director of Human Resources Management holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and is a Doctoral Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management.
Dr. Chinedu B. Odoala
Director, Research and Documentation
Dr. Chinedu B. Odoala obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the University of Calabar, Masters and Doctorate Degree in History from the University of Abuja. He attended several national and international Conferences, Summits, Workshop and Training Programmes. He has presented papers at Local, National and International Fora. His papers have been published by reputable Journals. He is a member of the Historical Society of Nigeria (H.S.N).
Aminatu Umar Mashegu
Director, Arts and Crafts
Aminatu Umar Mashegu holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Creative Arts from the University of Maiduguri, obtained in 1990. Before joining the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in 2000, she worked for several years as a Graphic Artist with Alphabet Printing and Publishing Ltd., Kano, where she gained extensive professional experience in visual communication and graphic design.
Yusha’u Aliyu
Director, Finance and Accounts
Yusha’u Aliyu is a distinguished Economist and Chartered Accountant with a Fellowship Doctorate from the Institute of Professional Economists and Policy Management, Abuja, and is a Certified Member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). With over 28 years of public service, he currently serves as Director of Finance and Accounts. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership and administrative positions, including serving as a seasoned trade unionist and two-time Chairman of the RATTAWU, NCAC Chapter. He has made significant contributions to financial management within the Council, supporting sound fiscal administration and managerial decision-making, particularly through his experience as an Internal Auditor
