And Creative Economy - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Folashade Adeniran
Mar, Sat, 2025

FG reviews national culture policy after 37 years

581 total views today

By Joshua Olomu

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACTCE), says work is at final stage in the review of Nigeria’s National Policy on Culture.

The minister said in a statement on Friday in Abuja, that this was coming 37 years after the last review.

Musawa said the exercise was in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

”The document was last reviewed in 1988, and has remained in draft form for over 37 years in spite of its significance in shaping Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries.

”A Cultural Policy Drafting Committee was inaugurated in July 2024, comprising over 100 members, divided into sub-groups to research, develop, and refine the policy framework.

”The committee successfully completed the virtual drafting process in December 2024, leading to the need for a physical drafting exercise to consolidate and refine the document,” she said.

She explained that the final stage was to get the policy ready for Stakeholders Engagement and Validation exercise before submission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

“In recognition of the urgency of the reforms, the ministry initiated the comprehensive review process, ensuring that Nigeria’s cultural framework aligns with global best practices and reflects the evolving creative economy.

“This initiative reflects the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to cultural development under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.

According to her, national policy on culture serves as a legal framework guiding the preservation, promotion, and development of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

She noted that the review will ensure that the policy reflects contemporary trends, particularly the shift from a creative industry to a creative economy.

Musawa further said that the ministry’s partnership with NESG and UNESCO had been instrumental in ensuring a well-structured and inclusive review process.

“Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024, NESG has provided research, technical support, and stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure that the final policy meets both national and international standards.

“Additionally, UNESCO’s technical assistance has played a key role in training Ministry staff and NESG representatives to align the revised policy with global best practices.

“The organisation has facilitated workshops and provided expert guidance to ensure that Nigeria’s policy supports the growth of the creative economy while preserving cultural heritage,” she said.

Also speaking, a facilitator at NESG, Ikenna Nwosu, who participated in the policy drafting process said: ”for 37 years, this policy remained unchanged despite the rapid transformation of the cultural and creative sectors.

“Ideally, such policies should be reviewed every five to 10 years. What we are witnessing today is a long-overdue intervention.

“The industry has moved far ahead of governance, and this exercise is an essential step in ensuring that policies catch up with the sector’s economic potential.

“The minister’s leadership in driving this review is commendable, as it will reposition our cultural sector as a key contributor to Nigeria’s GDP.”(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

FG partners Afrexim Bank, others to boost creative sector

Muhyideen Jimoh
Mar, Tue, 2025

Culture & Tourism

FG partners Afrexim Bank, others to boost creative sector

674 total views today

By Joshua Olomu

The Federal Government has forged pivotal partnership with African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank) and others toward ensuring that the creative and tourism sector contributes meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Musawa said the partnerships were initiated and concretised through the ministry.

According to her, some of the strategic partners also include Wakanow, Africa’s premiere tour operator, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and TelAirVision, among others.

The minister said that the collaborative initiatives were in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a one trillion dollars economy from the sector.

Musawa said these collaborations were geared towards driving growth, enhance cultural diplomacy, and boost gross domestic Production (GDP) contribution from the ministry to the nation’s economy.

The minister said investors, Nigerian content creators and other industry players in the creative economy were already benefiting from such partnerships, policy initiatives and bold reforms in the sector.

According to her, a recent deal with Afreximbank enabled Nigeria to secure a 200 million dollars financing facility from the bank to provide essential funding for businesses and entrepreneurs in the creative sector.

She said the move was to ensure that Nigeria’s creatives, ranging from filmmakers to digital innovator, have the capital needed to scale their ventures, create jobs, and expand their global reach.

“The Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP) is also developed in partnership with Lebara Nigeria that provides creatives with equitable loans, digital financing, and affordable internet access, ensuring their seamless participation in the digital economy.

“Additionally, inbound tourists will benefit from streamlined financial services and eSIM activation, enhancing their experience in Nigeria.

“To strengthen Nigeria’s creative workforce, the ministry has partnered with Alison, a global e-learning provider, integrating its Learning Management System (LMS) into CLAP.

“This offers creatives access to courses in digital media, gaming, music production, and cinematography, positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive creative hub.

“Another key partnership was a boost to digital storytelling through the Content Creators Challenge, a partnership between FMACTCE and TelAirVision.

“This initiative provides funding, mentorship, and distribution support for digital creatives transitioning from short-form to full-length productions.

“By expanding opportunities in the content economy, the program fosters innovation and employment while promoting Nigerian talent on a global stage,” she said.

Musawa said, to ensure financial probity in the sector, fraud prevention measures had been put in place, as the ministry joined forces with Prembly to implement advanced Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.

She further explained a partnership with the Presidential Tax Committee to introduce tax incentives and credits, making Nigeria’s creative sector more appealing to foreign investors.

She said the ministry had also taken steps towards investment in infrastructure by singing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cavista Holdings.

She said that the MoU focused on developing tourism infrastructure, digitising tourism experiences, and investment in human capital.

She said the ministry under her watch, was strengthening international collaborations, including the one with the British Council, to drive skills development and cultural exchanges.

“The ministry has engaged the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to analyse best practices from South Korea, Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, and China.

“These insights will help Nigeria tailors policies that drive the creative economy’s growth and maximise its GDP contribution.

“There is also strategic agreements with Brazil which include the renovation of Casa da Nigeria in Salvador, fostering co-productions in film and music, and promoting cultural exchange.

“Similarly, there is a partnership with the French Republic that grants Nigerian creatives access to French markets and specialised training in fashion, gaming, and cinema,” she said.

Musawa added that the ministry’s strategic partnership initiatives would not only create jobs and attract investment but also position Nigeria as a cultural and creative powerhouse in the global economy.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola