The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a series of targeted strategies aimed at significantly expanding the contribution of arts, culture, tourism, and the broader creative economy to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the ambitious goal of reaching $100 billion by the year 2030. Alongside this economic target, the initiative is also projected to generate over three million jobs across the country. These developments were disclosed during a high-level engagement with the 36 state governors under the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), held in Abuja.
Key components of the Federal Government’s roadmap include the launch of a \$200 million Creative Economy Development Fund and the establishment of a \$1 billion Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation. These financial instruments are designed to stimulate investment, develop infrastructure, and provide essential support to entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the creative and tourism sectors. In addition to funding, the government has unveiled several landmark projects, such as the Lagos Arena, the Abuja Creative City, and the Renewed Hope Cultural Villages, all intended to serve as hubs for creative expression, entertainment, and cultural preservation.
In response to the presentation, which was delivered by Mr. Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture on behalf of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the NGF expressed strong support for the initiative. A communiqué issued and signed by the NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, confirmed the governors’ commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government. They pledged to establish State Creative Economy Desks, participate in co-created festivals, and adopt the “Naija Season” platform to promote cultural activities nationwide.
The governors also praised ongoing reforms in intellectual property, tourism expansion, and efforts to boost Nigeria’s global cultural visibility. The Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was highlighted as a major step toward unlocking the full economic potential of Nigeria’s rich cultural and creative assets.
The meeting also saw the governors expressing condolences to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo on the passing of his father, Pa Ahmed Ododo, with a minute of silence observed in his memory. The Federal Government emphasized that with Nigeria’s vast creative talent pool, coupled with advancements in technology and a rich cultural heritage, the creative and tourism sectors are poised to become powerful engines for sustainable economic development and international influence.