News Agency of Nigeria
Group seeks accurate representation of Yoruba culture
General News

Group seeks accurate representation of Yoruba culture

By Babajide Awoyinfa

The Think Yoruba First Ogo Adulawo Socio-Cultural Association (TYF Worldwide) has called for accurate representation of Yoruba culture to safeguard its heritage and identity.

Mr Oluwatobi Sanwo, Lead Legal Consultant of TYF, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that falsified narratives threatened Yoruba civilisation and intellectual integrity globally.

He explained that the conference was convened to highlight cultural defamation and historical distortion against the Yoruba people, found in a recently published academic book.

According to him, the book falsely claims that the non-Yoruba group were original inhabitants of Ile-Ife, alleging Yoruba were immigrants who usurped authority in their ancestral home.

Other falsehoods, he noted, included a fabricated empire preceding Ile-Ife, assertions unsupported by Ifa Corpus, oral traditions, or credible historical and anthropological research.

Sanwo condemned the distortions as cultural defamation, intellectual dishonesty, and potential ethnic provocation.

He stressed that Ile-Ife remained the undisputed cradle of Yoruba civilisation, recognised worldwide by scholars and authorities.

He said TYF had submitted petitions to Nigerian and international institutions, while raising public awareness to defend Yoruba heritage and intellectual truth against distortion and falsified narratives.

The association urged Yoruba people worldwide to unite in defence of Ile-Ife, while calling on the media to responsibly promote authentic Yoruba history and scholarship.

Sanwo reaffirmed TYF’s commitment to peaceful dialogue and collaboration with traditional rulers, academics, and the press, insisting Yoruba history was sacred, Ile-Ife non-negotiable, and identity indivisible.

He emphasised that TYF does not promote hatred toward any ethnic group, but would resist attempts to undermine Yoruba civilisation or distort ancestral history.

The association also appealed to government agencies, universities, and international cultural organisations to support Yoruba scholarship, fund research, and strengthen frameworks preserving African histories and indigenous knowledge systems. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Helpline unveils project to strengthen cultural rights of FCT original inhabitants 
Metro

Helpline unveils project to strengthen cultural rights of FCT original inhabitants 

By Philip Yatai

Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI), an NGO, has unveiled a two-year project to strengthen the cultural rights of the Original Inhabitants (OIs) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Unveiling the project at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the HSSI Project Manager, Mr Onoja Arome, said that the move was to preserve the cultural heritage of the OIs.

Arome said that the project would be supported by the MacArthur Foundation, through the Resource Centre for Human Right and Civic Education (CHRICED).

He explained that the project was designed to train 100 vulnerable women and youths in cultural attire production.

This, according to him, is to increase the cultural identity awareness of the OIs and create job opportunities through skill acquisition in arts and craft.

He added that the project was to advocate the resettlement and adequate compensation of OIs whose land had been encroached upon or taken over by developers without adequate compensation.

He said “it will also create awareness of their presence as OIs whose voices are gradually going into
extinction.

“These, among others, are what the Helpline Social Support Initiative shall be engaged with in the next 18 months of the project.”

Arome said that the 1973 decree that created the FCT came with a lot of consequences for the OIs.

He noted that the OIs were forced to relinquish their ancestral land for the development of the nation’s capital.

He added that “the development scattered the indigenous people, with many of them losing most of their economic trees and farmlands, thereby causing high unemployment rate among the OIs.

“This was why the MacArthur Foundation stepped in, through CHRICED, and in 2021 supported HSSI to implement the first phase of the project.”

The manager said that the project recorded huge success with a total of 200 vulnerable women and youths trained and empowered to preserve their cultural identity.

He said the beneficiaries were now making a living by producing cultural attire as entrepreneurs.

On awareness creation, Arome added that 39 jingles were produced and aired in OIs local languages, while advocacy visits to the department of resettlement and compensation were carried out.

He said “today, we make bold to reiterate that CHRICED has deemed it fit to continue on the project, thereby supporting us again to continue with the second phase of the project.

“We hereby call on stakeholders in this venture to empathise and sympathise with the OIs and join us in this venture to create an incredible impact that will out-leave us and usher new generations to a life of ease in the FCT.” (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

CBAAC reaffirms Nigeria’s leadership in cultural diplomacy, prepares for FESTAC @50
Culture & Tourism

CBAAC reaffirms Nigeria’s leadership in cultural diplomacy, prepares for FESTAC @50

By Naomi Sharang

Director-General of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Aisha Augie, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s leading position in cultural diplomacy on the African continent.

This, she said, was even as the country geared up for the golden jubilee of one of its most historic cultural events—FESTAC.

Augie, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday after a closed-door session with the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, emphasised Nigeria’s enduring legacy in promoting African culture globally.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism is chaired by Sen. Ogoshi Onawo (PDP-Nasarawa).

Augie described Nigeria’s cultural impact as ‘unmatched’, citing the FESTAC ’77 as a landmark event that placed the country at the centre of Africa’s cultural revival.

According to her, the FESTAC at 50, slated for 2027, offers another opportunity to showcase the richness of African heritage.

The director-general, who stated that FESTAC ’77 laid the foundation for cultural unity and cooperation across the continent, said that preparations for the anniversary were already underway.

“As we approach 50 years since that historic gathering, we must build on the legacy,” she said.

Augie also noted the significant infrastructure and policy milestones that accompanied the festival, many of which, she said, had continued to serve as cultural landmarks in Nigeria.

“From the National Theatre in Lagos to FESTAC Town, the legacy of that moment endures,” she added.

The director-general said that the committee acknowledged the importance of adequately funding cultural institutions in order to harness Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

“The senate assured us that cultural bodies like CBAAC will receive the budgetary backing needed to carry out their mandates,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Why Nigeria must promote local languages, culture-Soyinka
Entertainment

Why Nigeria must promote local languages, culture-Soyinka

By Mujidat Oyewole
Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has stressed the need to promote  Nigeria’s local languages and culture in order to drive national development.

Soyinka made the call on Monday while answering questions from newsmen after his visit to the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, University of Iloirn, as part of activities leading to the institution’s maiden Cultural Week.

He said that a language is repository of a people and community, adding that young people should be encouraged to understand the language of their forefathers.

According to Soyinka, language is a beautiful tool for expression.

“In the last head count it was discovered that there were 300 languages in Nigeria.

“We need to learn foreign languages that is spoken and recognised around the world to develop ourselves and the country, but this should not be to the detriment of our local language.

“We need to learn to read, write and invent in our local languages, even before we think or compose in other languages, to be able to conduct research and develop our country.”

The nobel laureate said that there was need to transform the old traditional ways of living to modern in order to get cultural value.

“This is by introducing the local foods, songs and ways of solving issues in the past to modern day living.

“We can start by asking our mothers how they did it perfectly in the past and use the method on our children.

“This is for them to be knowledgeable about their origin and make judicious use of the method to solve many issues in their present,” Soyinka said.

He also said that there was need for local languages to be made compulsory in schools and Nigerians to know their history and culture for them to be proud of their heritage.

“We need to cherish our culture and traditions as an African country in order to maintain our dignity and value.”

Earlier, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, had described Soyinka’s visit as a moment of pride and historical importance to the institution.

Egbewole, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, expressed the collective joy of the academic community in hosting a global cultural figure of Soyinka’s stature.

He noted that the establishment of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts was inspired by a vision that aligned closely with the nobel laureate’s lifelong dedication to arts and humanities.

The Vice Chancellor revealed that the Centre was conceptualised with figures like Soyinka in mind, saying that the initiative was borne out of genuine intentions to contribute meaningfully to cultural scholarship and global discourse.

He explained that the vision for the Centre had been nurtured over time and had now materialised with students enrolled in programmes across various levels, including diploma, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

The Vice Chancellor expressed optimism that the Centre would grow to become one of the foremost institutions of its kind globally, especially with the involvement and endorsement of Soyinka. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Bayo Sekoni

FG to create documentary, data infrastructure on creative economy
Culture & Tourism

FG to create documentary, data infrastructure on creative economy

By Joshua Olomu

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE), says plans are underway to produce documentary series and as well develop a data infrastructure catalogue on Nigeria’s creative economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, Ag. Permanent Secretary of the ministry, stated this on Thursday at an industry stakeholders engagement meeting in Abuja.

The meeting brought together key players from different genres of the creative sector to share ideas and get their inputs on the proposed documentary series and the data infrastructure catalogue.

The Ag. Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Mrs Blessing Onwughalu , Assistant Director, Entertainment and Creative Economy Department of the ministry, said both projects were aimed at accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy.

According to her, despite the exponential growth of the nation’s creative ecosystem, it remains largely untapped due to lack of investment in the sector.

She identified inadequate funding, lack of physical creative infrastructure, lack of data infrastructure and access to verifiable data and piracy, as some of the challenges facing the sector.

“The lack of data, access to data and verifiable information on the Nigerian creative economy is one of its greatest challenges as it impedes on investment into the sector by willing investors, hence today’s programme.

“In order to mitigate this huge challenge, the ministry is embarking on a documentary project on the Nigeria creative economy.

“Also, is the development of a data infrastructure catalogue which will go a long way to address the dearth of data on the Nigeria creative economy.

“The documentary is intended to be an expose on the Nigerian creative economy aimed at attracting investors to the sector.

“Furthermore, investors are interested in data and numbers to ensure that they will get a return on their investment, a concern that the development of the data infrastructure catalogue is sure to address.

“The first phase of these two wonderful initiatives which are a series of sub-sector stakeholder engagement meetings is the reason for our gathering today.

“We hope that our stakeholders here present will avail us with information on their sectors, their challenges and expectations in order to contribute to the success of these two initiatives”, she said.

The Ag.Permanent Secretary lauded the minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for remaining resolute in ensuring that the creative sector continues to thrive.

She said the proposed documentary series and the data infrastructure were initiatives of the minister aimed at accelerating the growth of the Nigerian creative sector.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Stakeholders push for stronger IP awareness to protect creative industry
General News

Stakeholders push for stronger IP awareness to protect creative industry

By Joshua Olomu

Legal experts and stakeholders have advocated increased Intellectual Property (IP) awareness to prevent copyright infringements, ensuring Nigerian creatives receive due recognition and rewards for their work.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders made the call at a one-day capacity building programme on IP Rights Management for creative industry administrators on Tuesday in Abuja.

The training, organised by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE), brought together officials of the ministry, the media and other key industry players as participants.

According to the stakeholders, adequate awareness and education on IP rights is needed for every Nigerian to appreciate copyright of creators as they drive innovation across every sector.

Mr Michael Akpan, an IP expert, said although enforcement of copyright laws was needed, it was also imperative to ensure that Nigerians were well-informed about IP.

He, therefore, commended FMACTCE for organising the training, adding that the initiative would make them more informed and equipped to deliver on their mandate.

“Respect for intellectual property rights hinges on awareness. When people understand their obligations, enforcement becomes easier, as they are more likely to comply with the law and respect others’ rights.

“Just as you will not trespass on someone’s land, people who understand intellectual property, respect the rights of creators, including musicians and actors.

“As people profit from tangible properties they create, those who create intellectual property are also entitled to derive economic benefits from it, and that is the core message of IP.

“This training is very important because the attendees are like the front officers for government to engage with the creative industry.

“So, they need to have good knowledge of managing creativity, which basically rests on the whole theme of intellectual property protection,” he said.

Mrs Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy at FMACTCE, emphasised the need for collective efforts to safeguard Nigerian ingenuity, enabling the creative sector to make a greater contribution to the national economy.

She, therefore, urged participants to leverage the benefits of the training for enhanced service delivery to stakeholders in the sector.

“We understand that lack of framework to protect the copyright of creators in Nigeria over the years, is a major concern for which this ministry was created.

“Although the Copyright Act is there, we also need to create awareness for our stakeholders to know that a creative idea or a creative asset need to be protected.

“Today’s capacity building for creative economy administrators on IP rights is actually the first training since the creation of the Department of Entertainment and Creative Economy in 2014.

“We want to specially thank the honorable minister for approving this training for the administrators for them to have capacity to administer the intellectual property rights regime,” she said.

Some participants, who spoke with NAN on the sidelines, expressed their delight with the training, noting that it provided the momentum they needed to perform their jobs more effectively.

Mrs Blessing Onwughalu , Assistant Director in the Department of Entertainment and Creative Economy of the ministry, said that the IP training was apt and timely.

“The things I have never heard before, I heard them today, which is very apt because it will help us to go back and talk to our subsector, the fashion designers, the actors, the authors, all of them.

“We are now equipped with the knowledge to educate them on protecting their rights and earning more income, both personally and for the nation,” she said.

Mr Godwin Ukah, a cultural officer in the ministry, added that with adequate knowledge of IP, policies, and enabling frameworks in place, creatives would thrive.

Earlier, in his opening address, Mr Ibrahim Suleiman, Director overseeing Office of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, called for policies that would promote fair and efficient IP systems.

According to him, as the Nigerian creative economy is gaining global attention, there is need to enhance the capacity of its administrators, adding that the training was timely.

“These programmes highlight the significance of intellectual property in the creative economy and its output for practitioners.

“On our part as a ministry, we are willing to collaborate with businesses, creators, and institutions to ensure that IP is used as a tool for empowerment and economic growth,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chinyere Omeire

FG reviews national culture policy after 37 years
Culture & Tourism

FG reviews national culture policy after 37 years

 

 

 

 

 

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
Culture & Tourism

FG partners Afrexim Bank, others to boost creative sector

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

Ramadan: Culture minister advocates religious, ethnic tolerance
Culture & Tourism

Ramadan: Culture minister advocates religious, ethnic tolerance

By Joshua Olomu

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, has called on Nigerians to embrace religious and ethnic tolerance in order to ensure peace and economic prosperity of the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Musawa made the call at a ‘Ramadan Iftar’ (Breaking of fast) she hosted for stakeholders, ministry officials and the media on Wednesday evening in Abuja.

According to the minister, tolerance and understanding are needed for unity, peace and development of a culturally pluralistic state like Nigeria.

She noted that Nigeria’s cultural diversity is an asset that should be treasured by promoting understanding, respect, and acceptance to build a society where everyone feels valued and included, regardless of their heritage.

She, therefore, enjoined adherents of Islam and Christianity to imbibe the spirit of harmony and tolerance to strengthen the bond of unity for the nation’s common good.

“As a Nigerian and being a woman of faith, this season is very special for me as both Muslim and Christian faithful are having a time of spirituality.

“We are celebrating Ramadan and our Christian brothers and sisters are also fasting and celebrating Lent. So, it is a time to emphasise the importance of unity and pray for it.

“We all belong to Almighty God, so, it is really about unity of our country.

“I really want to use this industry to look at the different diversity that we have and use it in a way that will strengthen us as one great people and one great nation.

“We are one people, we are Nigerians, and we have a very beautiful rainbow of different cultures and languages that is used to show our differences.

“That culture is a national asset and we need to open up that asset and use it as an initiative that will give us the economic expansion that we are hoping to have,” she said.

Musawa said that the ministry, under her watch, was working toward ensuring that Nigeria leverages its rich cultural and creative space to create wealth for citizens, especially its teeming youths.

She further said that besides its economic relevance, the culture and creative sector was a veritable tool for building national cohesion and stability.

She, therefore, urged industry stakeholders to embark on initiatives that foster positive relationships and unity among Nigerians with different cultures, religions, and lifestyles.

“There is good times ahead as President Bola Tinubu has been very keen in ensuring that we put up a structure that will really add a lot of value and worth to Nigerians.

“He is so interested in building something different, special, innovative and dynamic for the future generation, and it is not about this government or the next government.

“He wants us to build something very strong and fortified to give the growing population, especially the younger demography, a hope for the future.

“He has ensured in his diversification efforts that the creative industry, the cultural industry, hold a lot of worth in terms of what we can bequeath to this generation.

“So, what we have done in the last couple of months is really to put up that strong institutional framework, that infrastructure that will really allow us to tap into the bigger potential in the industry.

“We are at the beginning season, but in the next couple of months you are going to see us roll out and activate different programmes and implement them.

“The youths of Nigeria will have assurance in terms of job creation and capacity building to use our creative industry to turn Nigeria into a creative and cultural hub of Africa”, she said.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

FG partners Creative Park Ltd. on 30-hectare creative city in Abuja
Culture & Tourism

FG partners Creative Park Ltd. on 30-hectare creative city in Abuja

 

By Salif Atojoko

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCe) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Creative Park Ltd. to establish a creative park, in Idu, Abuja

The 30-hectare Creative City in Abuja is aimed at transforming Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries.

The MoU was signed on Thursday in Abuja by Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy and Mr Bayo Omoboriowo, Chief Executive Officer, Creative Park Ltd.

Musawa said the MoU would set the framework for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) designed to drive economic diversification, empower creative talent and boost cultural tourism.

She said that the Creative Park, conceived as a world-class hub, would offer state-of-the art infrastructure, training, and investment opportunities, positioning Nigeria as a global leader in the creative economy.

The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for the creative sector to thrive.

”Today is a day I am extremely proud of because I can see President Tinubu’s vision coming to fruition. Being Nigerian is one of the greatest honours of my life.

“The vision of President Bola Tinubu is not just about building the creative industry; it is about empowering future generations.

“When you step into Nigeria, you feel a different energy. We are a great people, and it is because of our content and creativity,” she said.

The Minister added that the creative industry had the greatest power of messaging with the ability to reach and empower Nigerians across socio-economic backgrounds.

“Not every Nigerian can be a lawyer, benefit from oil wealth or attend on Ivy league schools.

“But every Nigerian, whether in a rural or urban community, has the ability to create content on their phone, become an influencer, or express their cultural identity.

“This industry has the ability to change Nigeria’s image and reposition the country on a global stage,” she said.

She commended Omoboriowo, former official photographer to President Muhammadu Buhari, for his dedication to the creative industry and his commitment to national development.

“This PPP is in safe hands because it is in the hands of people who care about the creative industry and are deeply rooted in the industry.

“This park is going to be the direct personification of the great vision for Nigeria as Africa’s creative and cultural hub,” Musawa added.

Omoboriowo in his remarks described the initiative as a transformative step toward unlocking Nigeria’s creative potential.

”Through Abuja Creativity City, we are laying the foundation for a thriving ecosystem where creativity meets opportunity; where ideas become industries; and where culture drives economic growth.

”This 30-hectare hub will be a space where artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners can come together to build, innovate, and create lasting impact.

“More importantly, it will be a catalyst for job creation and poverty reduction, addressing some of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria today.

”This initiative is not just about infrastructure and investment; it is about people – about empowering Nigeria’s creative talents, preserving our cultural heritage, and unlocking the immense potential within our creative economy,” he said.

According to Omoboriowo, the partnership brings together the government, the private sector, international development organisations, and key stakeholders who share a common vision of a creative Africa that is bold, innovative, and globally competitive.

“Under the agreement, the ministry will provide policy support, facilitate access to financing opportunities, and coordinate inter-agency collaboration to ensure seamless project execution.

“The Creative Park Ltd. will oversee the design, development, and operational management of the Creative City, working closely with private investors to ensure long-term sustainability.

“The MoU, which will be in effect for an initial period of five years, aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy to harness the creative economy as a key driver of national development,” Omoboriowo said.

The collaboration is expected to generate employment opportunities, support local content production, and enhance Nigeria’s global creative footprint. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email