The Federal Government has inaugurated four drafting committees to develop policy and financing frameworks for Nigeria’s arts, culture, tourism and creative economy, as part of efforts to reposition the sector as a major driver of growth and employment.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, announced the initiative during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, stating that the move aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The committees—Policy & Strategy; Programmes & Implementation; Stakeholder Engagement; and Monitoring & Evaluation—have been tasked with addressing longstanding structural challenges in the sector, including fragmented governance, weak enforcement of intellectual property rights, and limited access to financing.
Musawa noted that although Nigeria’s creative sector enjoys global recognition, it currently contributes only about 2.3 percent to national output. She disclosed that the ministry aims to increase the sector’s contribution to ₦100 billion in GDP and create two million jobs for young Nigerians by 2030.
“You are charged with reviewing our existing institutional architecture and proposing a coherent governance framework that eliminates fragmentation, clarifies responsibilities, and positions the creative economy as a pillar of national development,” she said.
She urged committee members to approach the assignment as a critical nation-building effort, emphasizing that creatives and entrepreneurs across the country are depending on meaningful reforms.
Each committee is expected to submit its terms of reference and a 90-day work plan by April 21, 2026, with quarterly public briefings scheduled thereafter.
The minister also acknowledged technical support from partners, including the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, UNESCO, and United Nations Development Programme.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Ikenna Nwosu, described the creative economy as a “powerful economic frontier,” capable of driving innovation, job creation, and export expansion.
“Across the world, nations are leveraging their creative industries to strengthen global influence. Nigeria, with its immense talent and cultural heritage, is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation in Africa,” he said.
Nwosu added that the committees must deliver practical, evidence-based plans to address financing gaps, infrastructure deficits, weak intellectual property protection, and policy fragmentation.
According to the ministry, the committees will operate in parallel, supported by an inter-ministerial technical team to harmonize governance structures. Other focus areas include drafting Nigeria’s first comprehensive creative economy policy, designing financing mechanisms such as a Creative Economy Development Fund, and planning an international summit to showcase Nigeria’s creative potential.
The government reiterated its commitment to collaborative policymaking aimed at unlocking investment, fostering innovation, and driving economic diversification through the creative sector.