Abuja:Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, has called on stakeholders to develop systems that convert Nigeria’s creative talent and intellectual property into sustainable economic value.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Musawa delivered her address at the 2026 Creative and Entertainment Industry Summit and Awards (CEISA) held in Abuja. The event, themed ‘Artificial Intelligence, Creativity and the Future of Africa’s Creative Economy’, gathered creative entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders to examine the role of artificial intelligence in Africa’s creative and entertainment sectors.
Musawa, represented by her Chief of Staff, Mr. Chidi Nwanwene, stressed the potential of the creative and cultural industries to drive economic diversification and job creation. She emphasized the need for policies and investments to support this transformation, highlighting that a robust structure, skills development, and intellectual property protection are essential for the sector
’s growth.
The minister underscored the importance of moving from discussion to implementation, urging stakeholders to convert ideas into programs and talent into enterprises. She also called for improved research and digitization of Nigeria’s cultural heritage to aid policymaking and preserve institutional memory.
John Asein, Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), emphasized the need for a supportive environment where innovation and copyright protection go hand in hand. Represented by Mr. Amos Abutu, Asein noted the commission’s plans to modernize copyright administration and collaborate with African counterparts to strengthen intellectual property protection.
The summit also featured discussions about the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative economy, with a focus on ensuring that Africa emerges as a creator and innovator rather than just a consumer. An AI masterclass in collaboration with the University of Abuja was announced, alongside the launch of the CEISA magazine
and a creative library to support research.
The event concluded with an awards presentation recognizing contributions from various industries within the creative economy.