By Steven Atokolo
The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, has disclosed an ambitious plan that will make Nigeria’s creative industry contribute $100 bill by 2030.
While stating this Thursday after receiving overwhelming support from the National Assembly Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy for an increased budget, Musawa emphasized the ministry’s commitment to contributing $100 billion to the nation’s GDP by 2030 through targeted reforms, infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships.
The minister emphasized the sector’s potential to drive economic growth and create millions of jobs.
Musawa highlighted the creative sector’s ability to transform the lives of young Nigerians, citing events like “Dirty December” in Lagos as proof of the industry’s capacity to contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Every single part of Nigeria is bursting with creative talent. This is real estate for the country and the ministry,” she said.
The ministry’s strategy, she indicated, focuses on creating an enabling environment for the sector to thrive while securing external funding to complement government support.
“So far, the ministry has attracted funding from partners like Afrexim Bank, Big Win, and the UAE and Saudi governments.
“In addition to the $100 billion GDP target, the ministry is working with Big Win to create two million jobs by 2027”.
However, Musawa stressed the need for adequate government funding to realize these goals, noting that the current budget allocation has been inadequate.
“The government has to come correct to give us the opportunity and ability to create an enabling environment for the sector’s growth,” she added, expressing optimism that the committee’s support will lead to expanded funding for the ministry.
Musawa highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s creative sector, pointing out that, despite being home to world-renowned Afrobeat artists and the second-largest film industry globally, the country lacks critical infrastructure like arenas, museums, and cinemas.
“We are losing value because we don’t have the infrastructure to support the growth of the industry,” she said, citing the absence of local venues for artists to perform and showcase their talents.
To unlock the sector’s potential, she said the ministry collaborated with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to benchmark successful models from countries like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, and China. These insights were localized to fit Nigeria’s unique context.
Key areas of focus include overhauling legal and regulatory frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships (PPP), and revitalizing critical infrastructure like the National Theatre.
The minister commended the role of the private sector, particularly the Bankers’ Committee, in refurbishing the National Theatre, which is now set to become a global landmark. “There is no place in the world where you will see the kind of edifice that the National Theatre has become,” Musawa said.
Musawa also underscored the need to develop Nigeria’s cultural and tourism assets, such as Yankari Game Reserve and Dashaka Hills, to attract global and local audiences. She called for collaboration with the National Assembly and state governments to enact supportive policies and create an enabling environment for growth.
If realized, the efforts could redefine Nigeria’s cultural and economic landscape, making it a global hub for creativity and innovation, Musawa concluded.
