Laraba MUREY
The Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, says her ministry plans to revamp the creative sectors with the goal of contributing $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030.
Musawa who was speaking during the opening of 2024 two-day Retreat for the Ministry and it’s agencies, acknowledged the ambitious nature of this goal, but noted that the ministry has already developed a roadmap to guide its efforts towards economic development.
According to the Minister, art, culture, and the creative economy sectors play critical roles in driving economic growth and job creation, but they also promote social cohesion, cultural exchange, and national identity.
Speaking on the theme of the retreat,” Driving Creativity and Innovation Towards Destination 2030″ Musawa said, “It is essential that we align our efforts with the Presidential Priorities set forth by the President at the Cabinet Retreat for Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and Top Government Functionaries held in November 2023, some of which are to: Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.
Strengthen national security for peace and prosperity.
Boost agriculture to achieve food security.
“Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development. Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.
Focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development.
Accelerate diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing & innovation.
Improve governance for effective service delivery.
“Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy Sectors have a crucial role to play in achieving these priorities and are critical drivers of economic growth and job creation, but also platforms for social cohesion, cultural exchange, and national identity. By ensuring the development and continued investment in these
“Sectors, we can harness their potential to stimulate innovation, promote entrepreneurship and attract investments, thereby contributing to the diversification and resilience of our economy.”
Furthermore, the Minister stressed the importance of consolidating and institutionalizing the efforts made in the creation of the Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy.
“We are committed to working together to ensure that the efforts made to birth the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy are consolidated and institutionalized.
“This commitment extends to collaborating with key Stakeholders, including creative and cultural institutions, artists and creative entrepreneurs, to build a strong foundation for the sustainable growth and development of our Sectors,she said.“
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the creative industry is a fountain of opportunities, “A wellspring of economic growth, and a catalyst for societal transformation. It is a testament to the ingenuity of our people, the richness of our cultural heritage, and the boundless imagination that defines our nation.”
Usman who was represented by Dr Sanusi Ohiare, noted that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy has been entrusted with important deliverables that will move the needle within the industry.
“This includes the following high impact deliverables: to create 2 million new jobs in the creative industry and to increase the contribution of arts, culture, and the creative economy to our nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP”.
