FG commits to generating $100 billion from Nigeria’s creative economy

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to generating $100 billion from Nigeria’s creative economy, with plans to create and sustain two million jobs in the sector.

Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, made this announcement during the launch of a project aimed at advancing evidence-based policies to enhance the contribution of the creative sectors to sustainable development in Abuja.

The project, which is supported by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), aims to provide key policy frameworks to strengthen the cultural, creative, and tourism sectors, which are vital components of the national economy.

Musawa, who was represented by Roshan Nanayakkara, Special Assistant on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Heritage, emphasized that these sectors are a significant driver of national development.

She pointed out that the prioritization of the creative economy was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Priority No. 7, which focuses on accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.

“The creation of a sector-specific Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy is a strategic move to enable and develop these sectors, aiming for a $100 billion GDP contribution and the creation of two million jobs,” Musawa stated.

To achieve this goal, the government plans to implement key initiatives, including the development of policy and regulatory frameworks.

These initiatives include the review and launch of three important policies: the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), the National Cultural Policy, and the National Tourism Policy.

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These policies are expected to ensure alignment and provide necessary government support for the industries.

“The government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to fostering partnerships for national development and creating an enabling environment that attracts investment into the creative, cultural, and tourism sectors,” Musawa added.

Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, Head of Office at UNESCO’s Abuja Regional Office, explained that the EU-UNESCO project would help the government develop frameworks for cultural sectors and support capacity building for state actors and agencies.

Mr. Gautier Mignot, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, also emphasized the importance of strengthening the creative industry’s contribution to sustainable development.