In a renewed push to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s creative industries, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has inaugurated four key committees to design a roadmap for sector-wide transformation.
Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement indicated that the initiative, unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, signals a strategic shift by the administration of Bola Tinubu to position the creative economy as a major pillar of growth, job creation and national development.
According to the statement the committees that included Policy and Strategy; Programmes and Implementation; Stakeholder Engagement; and Monitoring and Evaluation, have been given a clear mandate to fix structural gaps, streamline governance, and unlock sustainable financing for the sector.
According to the statement, despite Nigeria’s global influence in music, film, fashion and the arts, Musawa noted that the industry contributes just 2.3 per cent to GDP—far below its potential.
She identified fragmented policies, weak intellectual property enforcement and limited access to funding as key barriers holding the sector back.
Setting an ambitious tone, the minister said the government is targeting a ₦100 billion boost to GDP and the creation of two million jobs by 2030.
“This is not just another policy exercise,” she told committee members. “It is a nation-building task that requires clear thinking, coordination and actionable solutions.”
Under the plan, the committees are expected to deliver terms of reference and a 90-day action framework by April 21, 2026, laying the groundwork for long-term reforms. Quarterly public briefings will also be introduced to track progress and ensure transparency.
Musawa further disclosed that the effort is being supported by key development partners, including the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, UNESCO and UNDP, highlighting the growing international interest in Nigeria’s creative space.
Adding industry perspective, the CEO of the NESG, Ikenna Nwosu, described the sector as an “economic frontier” with the capacity to drive exports, innovation and global relevance.
However, he warned that without addressing long-standing issues—such as poor infrastructure, weak IP protection and inconsistent policies—the industry would continue to underperform.
Beyond policy drafting, the committees are expected to propose practical solutions, including new financing models, stronger public-private partnerships, and the establishment of a Creative Economy Development Fund.
There are also plans to host an international summit aimed at positioning Nigeria as a serious destination for creative investment.
With the new structure in place, the government is betting that a more coordinated, well-funded and policy-driven approach could finally translate Nigeria’s cultural influence into measurable economic gains—turning creativity into capital and talent into tangible national growth.
FG Moves to Reboot Creative Economy, Sets Up High-Level Committees
