The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has underscored the crucial role of art and culture in strengthening public-sector excellence and driving sustainable national development in Nigeria.
She delivered this message on Thursday while addressing participants at the 4th edition of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja.
Speaking on the theme “Building the Next Generation of Public Sector Leaders,” Musawa described art and culture as powerful instruments for national cohesion, economic growth, innovation, civic engagement, and the projection of Nigeria’s global identity.
Musawa stressed that Nigeria’s cultural diversity remains one of its greatest national assets. According to her, recognizing and actively integrating cultural heritage into policymaking can help unify the country’s various ethnic groups and foster a shared sense of national identity.
She explained that culture-driven governance provides avenues to transform the creative industry into an engine of development.
“Embracing and promoting art and culture helps forge national cohesion and shared identity among Nigeria’s diverse populations,” she said. “Integrating culture into public policy transforms the creative and cultural sectors into engines of economic development, job creation, and diversification. Cultural industries such as crafts, music, film, design, and heritage tourism can create livelihoods, attract investment, expand exports, and reduce dependence on limited economic activities.”
The Minister added that societies that nurture creativity and cultural expression are better positioned to cultivate resourceful citizens and public servants who are adaptive, empathetic, and culturally aware. She stressed that prioritizing culture and the creative economy through strong frameworks and institutions demonstrates a long-term national commitment to sustainable development.
Musawa also called for supportive legislation to protect intellectual property, incentivize investment in creative infrastructure, and deepen the integration of arts and culture into education and community development.
“Embedding art and culture at the heart of governance and public-sector planning is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” she emphasized. “It builds unity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and ensures that development respects and reflects the soul of the nation.”
She expressed appreciation to the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment to nurturing future leaders in public service.
Other speakers at the event included the Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, Aisha Augie; renowned photojournalist Bayo Omoboriowo; Ambassador Dapo Oyewole; and the Secretary-General of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures, among others.