The Federal Government has signed a groundbreaking three-year partnership with entertainment powerhouse Chocolate City Group to develop creative infrastructure across the country.
The move is aimed to unlock Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic potential through the arts.
A statement to that effect issued by special adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze indicated that the agreement, signed in Abuja, marked a strategic pivot in the government’s effort to harness Nigeria’s booming creative sector—especially music, performance, and content production.
The MoU according to the statement is not just a source of national pride but a tool for job creation, wealth generation, and international influence.
According to the statement, at the heart of the partnership is the plan to build live performance venues and creative hubs in multiple states.
These spaces will serve as platforms for local talent to thrive while generating employment in event management, security, hospitality, sound engineering, and digital production.
“This is more than a cultural collaboration; it’s an economic strategy,” said Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
“By investing in the creative industry, we’re creating jobs and building Nigeria’s brand as a global cultural powerhouse.”
Chocolate City Co-Founder Audu Maikori added that Nigeria’s music industry, already worth an estimated $2 billion, can become a significant national export and diplomatic tool.
“Afrobeats is doing what traditional diplomacy often can’t—winning hearts worldwide. But to sustain this momentum, we need infrastructure and policy support. That’s what this partnership is about,” he said.
The joint initiative also aligns with the government’s broader Nigeria Destination 2030 campaign—an ambitious plan to position the country as a premier global destination for culture, tourism, and investment.
Paul Okeugo, Chocolate City’s Vice Chairman, highlighted that beyond global appeal, the real impact lies in local empowerment.
“A concert venue in Kaduna or Port Harcourt could employ hundreds, support local businesses, and help keep talent rooted in Nigeria,” Okeugo said. “It’s about building an industry where Nigerians can thrive at home.”
With the creative economy emerging as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors, this partnership signals a shift toward strategic investment in soft power—using culture not only for entertainment, but for economic development, international relations, and youth empowerment.
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