The Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, on Wednesday defended her ministry’s 2024 budget performance before the House of Representatives.
Musawa appeared before the House Committee on Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, where she gave a detailed breakdown of how funds allocated to the ministry were used, the progress made so far, and the plans ahead.
She said the ministry had made major efforts to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage, support creatives, and boost the economy through strategic programmes.
“We’ve developed key initiatives like Nigeria Destination 2030, strengthened our policy framework, invested in digital transformation and skills development, and pushed for stronger intellectual property protection,” Musawa said.
She admitted that the ministry faced challenges, especially poor infrastructure and limited resources, but assured the lawmakers that achievements were being made despite the odds.
“We cannot do this alone,” she added. “We need strong partnerships—with industry experts, international bodies, and the National Assembly—to grow the creative sector and create jobs.”
Musawa also revealed that the ministry had secured a grant from the French Treasury to support infrastructure and was planning to build a film village similar to Bollywood, as well as a streaming platform to promote Nigerian content.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, MFR, mni, also presented a summary of the ministry’s achievements and its contribution to the country’s GDP, including revenue from tourism and ongoing projects.
Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Gabriel Saleh Zok, commended the ministry and promised continued support.
“We’re here to review how funds were used and ensure full accountability. We look forward to working more closely with the ministry,” Zok said.
The meeting gave lawmakers a clearer picture of the ministry’s performance and its plans to grow Nigeria’s creative economy.
