The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has declared that Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries hold the potential to replace oil as the country’s main economic driver.
Musawa made the statement in Awka, Anambra State, on Friday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry and the Anambra State Government to establish Renewed Hope Creative and Cultural Villages.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement quoted her to have indicated that the initiative is designed to preserve historic sites, promote tourism, and create thousands of jobs through the creative economy.
“The creative and tourism industries must become the new oil of Nigeria,” Musawa said. “They exist in every community and hold immense potential. Flying over Anambra, one cannot help but notice its beauty — lush greenery and vibrant cities that promise great opportunity. This MoU is just the beginning of a journey that will propel Nigeria toward a more dynamic and sustainable future.”
The minister noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has identified the creative and tourism sectors as key pillars of national development, stressing that the partnership reflects the government’s renewed commitment to economic diversification and youth empowerment.
“No longer will we work in silos,” she said. “President Tinubu envisions a united approach where the federal and state governments pool resources to grow tourism and strengthen our creative economy.”
The partnership, according to Musawa, will restore historic palaces, monuments, and heritage sites while promoting local craftsmanship through training and financial support for artisans. The Renewed Hope Creative and Cultural Villages will feature art studios, performance spaces, and innovation hubs to showcase Nigerian creativity to the world.
Representing Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyeji, commended the federal government for prioritising the creative sector and reaffirmed Anambra’s readiness to collaborate.
“The creative industry makes people happy, creates jobs, and promotes our culture,” Onyeji said. “Governor Soludo has approved a tourism masterplan for the state and is developing projects such as Agulu Lake, Owerre Ezukala Waterfalls, Ogbunike Cave, and Anam Beach. We are ready to move in partnership with the Federal Government to make Anambra a model of cultural and creative excellence.”
Also present at the event were Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Staff to the Governor.
Musawa concluded that the partnership with Anambra symbolises a renewed hope for the nation’s cultural rebirth — one where art, heritage, and creativity fuel Nigeria’s next phase of economic transformation.
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