Nigerian government has unveiled a New Roadmap to boost Cultural Heritage and to achieve Economic Diversification.
Nigerian Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa stated this during the official lunching of the 54th edition of the Art, Culture and Creative Economy Summit, Organised by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy in Collaboration with Nigerian Economic Group Summit, in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
The theme of the Event is ‘Harnessing the Power of Creativity for Economic Growth’
Musawa explained that, the initiative underscores the potential of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creative industries as important tools for national development, aligns with Nigeria’s broader objectives of job creation and economic expansion.
The Minister noted that, the creative economy, encompassing arts, culture, and creative sectors, is a significant driver of employment opportunities, particularly for young people and will help address the issue of insecurity.
Musawa stressed
that, the Roadmap project promotes youth participation in nation-building, encouraging collaboration across regions and helps to tap into the creative energies of the younger generation, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the cultural sector.
‘It is a legacy project not only for the President, or for the Ministry, is a legacy project for the Industry itself, this is a one way that can really keep the message of culture and creative alive in a way that we cultivate it for the future generations, we know that governments come and go and when new governments come and go often, they come with new strategies and the lack of continuity I think is the one of the problems we have in Nigeria, I believe that reasons why Lagos has been able to drive and continue to drive is because of the continuity in Lagos, it has been happening since 1999, but in many other States because of the nature of politics you find that, that continuity is missing, so we think that by bringing or making this handshake from Fede
ral to States they are able to give legacy to Industries of culture and creativity, it is also a legacy for the States’. Hannatu Musawa stated.
Concerning the introduction of introduce Intellectual Properties Policy IP that Nigeria set to unveil the Minister acknowledged that the aim is to promote national unity and foster an appreciation for Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
‘Everybody new that IP needed to be delivered in a way that gives security and confidence to people that operate in the sector and also investors, but we have not been able to deliver it as a government, but I am very pleased to say that we as a government as Ministry working in conjunction with the Ministries Trade and Investment will deliver IP in three weeks that I can categorically tell you within the three weeks will have the issue of IP finalised, this will create a lot of confidence to investors outside the countries’. Minister said.
Musawa added that, Nigeria is a country rich in cultural diversity, natural resources, histo
rical landmarks, and human capital, yet, many Nigerians lack a comprehensive understanding of the country’s unique attributes, due to limited exposure to the diverse regions, this project seeks to bridge that gap by creating a platform for engagement, education, and cultural exchange.
Representing the Commissioners from the thirty-Six States of Nigeria, Commissioner of culture from Ekiti State, Southern Nigeria, Professor Bakare Rasaki, called on State governments to prioritise cultural heritage for the project to succeed.
‘We have things to do, it does not end with the ministries both at federal or the States level, but we have to do more work with our industries players, as paradigm is shifting, mindsets must think, because the sector is not about the ministry, the sector is not about the Federal Ministry, the sector is not about the State Ministries, the Sector is about the industries players who make a living from the things they do within the sector, that is where our work is and that is where we are g
oing to concentrate our energy moving forwards’. Professor Bakare Rasaki, said.
Objectives of the Project
By highlighting local businesses, artisans, and industries across the 36 states, the project will attract investments and promote tourism, thereby driving economic growth.
The project seeks to bridge ethnic and regional divides by fostering dialogue and understanding between different Nigerian communities. This cultural exchange will not only promote national unity but also create a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive.
This project exemplifies the Honourable Minister’s commitment to harnessing the creative economy as a vehicle for job creation and economic expansion, in line with Nigeria’s broader development goals.
Source: Voice of Nigeria