Abuja: Emeka Rollas, National President and Convener of Concerned Creatives Artistes and Entertainers Initiative for Tinubu, has called for the sustainability of reforms introduced in Nigeria’s creative sector under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Rollas made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a news conference and unveiling of the initiative. He said the creative industry was receiving unprecedented attention under the current administration and had been recognised as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Rollas highlighted that Tinubu laid the foundation for the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. He said the administration created an enabling environment that encouraged private-sector investment in entertainment, culture, tourism, media, and other creative enterprises. “Lagos became the preferred destination for film production, using recording, cultural festivals, fa
shion events and creative entrepreneurship,” he noted.
Rollas emphasized that Tinubu had elevated that vision to the national stage, asserting that for the first time in the nation’s history, the creative economy is being positioned as a major contributor to GDP growth, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. He pointed out one of Tinubu’s landmark achievements as the creation of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, giving the sector the focused attention it deserves. Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of the 100-million-dollar Creative Economy Development Fund, aimed at providing access to financing for filmmakers, unicorns, fashion entrepreneurs, designers, digital innovators, and artists.
Further, Rollas detailed the administration’s commencement of the 617.7-million-dollar investment in the digital and Creative Enterprises (IDICE) Programme, which focuses on empowering young Nigerians within the digital and creative economy. He stressed that these initiativ
es, reforms, and achievements need sustainability and continuity to ensure that Nigerians get the full benefits. “Therefore, we need to support Tinubu in 2027,” Rollas stated.
Rollas added that the administration had approved the establishment of Renewed Hope Creative Villages across the country to provide world-class infrastructure for training, production, incubation, collaboration, innovation, and cultural preservation. He also mentioned government investments in capacity building through training programmes targeting thousands of young Nigerians in film production, fashion enterprise development, and other creative disciplines.
He noted another significant achievement as the ongoing review of Nigeria’s National Policy on Culture. Rollas further highlighted the administration’s appointment of respected industry practitioners, including Ali Nuhu, Shaibu Husseini, Obi Asika, and Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, into strategic leadership positions in key government institutions. “These appointments represent trust in
competence, experience, and leadership capacity of creative professionals,” he said.
Rollas concluded by acknowledging the efforts of Tinubu and his administration in repositioning the creative sector as a major driver of national development. He asserted that continuity would provide an opportunity for these initiatives to mature, expand, and deliver greater benefits to millions of Nigerians working across the creative value chain. The Concerned Creatives Artistes and Entertainers Initiative for Tinubu had established structures in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to drive stakeholder engagement and grassroots mobilisation. Rollas emphasized that the movement is founded on civic participation, democratic responsibility, and national development.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that stakeholders from the public and private sectors attended the event.