Kano: The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has announced that the Federal Government is aiming to create two million jobs within the creative industry by 2030. This ambitious goal was revealed at the closing of the 2026 Kano Creative Summit, an event organized by the National Theatre to bolster Nigeria’s creative economy and provide practitioners with the necessary skills for sustainable businesses.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Musawa highlighted the government’s plan to integrate the creative sector into its economic framework through initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Agenda and ‘Destination Nigeria.’ These efforts are designed to foster significant job creation within the creative industry by the target year. Musawa also emphasized Kano’s potential in driving economic growth through its rich creative heritage, which includes traditional crafts like Kofar Mata indigo dyeing, leatherwork, weaving, blacksmithing, embroidery, and the vibrant Kannywood film industry.
Musawa pointed out that the global recognition of Kano’s indigo dyeing, as inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024, underscores the international value of the state’s cultural heritage. She encouraged creative practitioners to professionalize their businesses by securing intellectual property rights, managing finances effectively, understanding project costs, and engaging in collective bargaining through professional associations.
The minister also advocated for the revival of dormant cultural sites such as Kofar Mata and the implementation of community-based training programs to pass traditional skills and knowledge to younger generations. The summit’s discussions were enriched by a panel session on the future of Northern Nigerian creativity, led by notable figures such as Hajiya Kaltume Bulama-Gana, CEO of the National Troupe, and Alhaji Abdulkareem Mohammed, Founder of the Kano Indigenous Languages of Africa Film Festival (KILAF).
Panelists, including Prof. Rukayat Banjo from Bayero University, Kano, discussed strategies to unlock the region’s creative potential. Bulama-Gana emphasized the importance of repackaging Northern creative works and leveraging digital platforms to enhance cultural identity. Mohammed called for ongoing professional training and stronger collaboration between academia and the creative industry, while Banjo highlighted language barriers and the scarcity of indigenous storytelling as key challenges.
The panellists urged for increased government intervention in skills development, better access to grants and loans, and institutional support, including the establishment of a National Troupe zonal office in Kano. The summit underscored the need to focus on intellectual property, funding access, digital technology, and professional networking to enable Nigerian creatives to thrive in the global market.
Attendees expressed gratitude for the practical insights shared during the summit, noting that the sessions had inspired them to rethink their approach to creative works, business practices, and industry opportunities. The event successfully gathered creatives, policymakers, investors, and industry experts to explore ways of transforming Nigeria’s cultural assets and creative talents into sustainable economic opportunities.