The Federal Government has set an ambitious target to boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by $100 billion through strategic investments in the creative sector.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, made this known during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to unlocking the full potential of the industry.
According to Musawa, the government is collaborating with private sector players to establish critical infrastructure, enhance intellectual property monetization, and create an environment where creatives can flourish.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s creative economy contributes significantly to national revenue. Based on global best practices and our own in-depth analysis, we are confident that this sector can add $100 billion to GDP,” she stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s efforts to learn from global success stories, the minister pointed to economies like South Korea, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan, where targeted policies and infrastructure investments have fueled sectoral growth.
“We tasked BCG with analyzing countries that have maximized their creative industries, and the results were clear. By implementing structured reforms and targeted investments, we can significantly upscale Nigeria’s creative sector,” Musawa added.
The minister also unveiled plans to establish entertainment and cultural hubs across the country, beginning with Lagos and Abuja.
“The Lagos arena project is already underway and will be delivered next year. Ideally, we would love to complete it this year, but by next year, we will have a full-scale, world-class facility. Work on the Abuja arena will commence thereafter, with plans to expand to all six geopolitical zones,” she explained.
These initiatives, she noted, are being executed in partnership with private investors to ensure sustainability and efficiency.
Musawa further confirmed the commencement of the Creative City project, designed to build a thriving ecosystem for Nigerian talents.
“We are working with private sector investors to ensure that this project moves quickly. When we break ground in the coming weeks, you will see tangible progress,” she assured.
Recognizing Nigeria’s need for a prominent cultural institution, Musawa disclosed that plans are in motion to establish a national museum in Abuja.
“It is inconceivable that the Giant of Africa lacks a major national museum in its capital. We are determined to change that and ensure our heritage is preserved and properly showcased,” she said.
Musawa also addressed concerns surrounding the underutilization of the Wole Soyinka Center in Abuja, a project developed in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.
“This centre has been sitting idle for too long, and Nigeria is losing revenue because of it. I am actively engaging with the Bankers’ Committee and relevant stakeholders to ensure that it is fully operational and given the prominence it deserves,” she declared.
With these initiatives, the government aims to transform Nigeria’s creative industry into a powerful economic driver, setting the stage for sustained growth and global competitiveness.
