Nigeria’s state governors unanimously support federal government plans to generate $100 billion in GDP contributions through strategic development of the country’s creative economy sector, targeting completion by 2030.
The comprehensive initiative, presented to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum by Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Hannatu Musawa, outlines ambitious plans to create over three million employment opportunities while positioning Nigeria as a global creative industry leader.
Key financial commitments include the $200 million Creative Economy Development Fund and the $1 billion Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation, both designed to provide crucial capital for creative sector expansion. Major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos Arena, Abuja Creative City, and Renewed Hope Cultural Villages will serve as economic catalysts for broader creative industry development.
According to government projections, the creative economy currently contributes significantly less to Nigeria’s GDP compared to global benchmarks, indicating substantial growth potential. Countries like South Korea and the United Kingdom have demonstrated how strategic creative economy investments can generate billions in export revenues while creating millions of high-skilled employment opportunities.
The governors committed to establishing state-level creative economy coordination desks, facilitating local implementation of national creative economy policies while ensuring regional participation in major cultural festivals and events. This decentralized approach aims to maximize creative talent utilization across Nigeria’s diverse cultural landscape.
Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, emphasized the initiative’s potential to transform Nigeria’s international image while generating substantial foreign exchange earnings through creative exports including film, music, fashion, and digital content.
Federal Executive Council approval for the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation under a Public-Private Partnership model demonstrates government commitment to leveraging private sector expertise and capital for creative sector development.
The ‘Naija Season’ platform will serve as a central coordination mechanism for international promotion of Nigerian creative content, potentially reaching global audiences worth billions in consumer spending. Similar initiatives in other countries have generated substantial tourism revenues while promoting cultural exports.
Implementation timelines indicate substantial economic impact within the next three years, with initial job creation targets focusing on youth employment in creative and technology sectors.
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