By Joel Oladele, Abuja
The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has unveiled an eight-point plan with the aim of increasing the contribution of the creative industry to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Katsina born lawyer speaking on Monday at the Art & Tech district in Abuja said her ambition is to elevate the Nigerian industries, comprising art, culture and creative industries to rank among the top 20 globally in terms of GDP contribution, wealth creation, employment, and poverty reduction in line with the agenda 2050.
“Through innovative strategies, technological integration, and enhanced market access, our target is to increase the value of sectoral outputs by 50 per cent, in line with the 2021 to 2025 national development plan,” The Minister explained.
She noted that her eight-point plan, tagged ‘Destination 2030’ will actualise her vision of transforming Nigeria into the capital of Africa’s creative, cultural and entertainment.
Recall that the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele stated in 2021 that the creative industry was worth $4.5 billion. However, the value as of today has almost doubled.
The Minister therefore promised to provide necessary supports to enhance the continuous growths of art, culture and entertainment.
As part of efforts to implement this, the minister said a creative economy advisory council with the aim to support the ministry with “high-level strategic support” will be constituted.
Speaking further she noted that, “A strong creative and cultural economy is a key driver of growth and presents an opportunity to accelerate Nigeria’s development on a local and a global stage.
“The creative economy is an economy of ideas, an economy of innovation, and an economy of invention in the digital age.”
Speaking further, the Minister said the ministry will provide job opportunities and also ensure the retrieval of the national artefacts from abroad.
“Under the renewed hope agenda of the presidency, we will provide the tools needed to accelerate growth across all creative economy sectors.
“We will deliver job opportunities and foster foreign partnerships and local collaborations that proudly exhibit our rich and unique national identity on a local and global stage, and we will elevate our nation’s economic standing.
“We have multiple initiatives and projects planned such as creative hubs, a Nigeria cultural expo, a national entertainment centre, a national art gallery, innovative publishing partnerships and a gaming sandbox project.
“We are building a global standard film festival, a culinary academy led by a Michelin star chef and a fashion foundry,” Musawa emphasised.