By Felicia Nwosu

Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, has unveiled her strategic roadmap to position Nigeria’s creative industry as a central pillar of the nation’s economic growth.

Speaking at Black At, a high-profile event celebrating creators and businesses of African origin in Lagos, Musawa emphasized her commitment to transforming Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage into a catalyst for global influence and innovation.

She outlined plans to establish dedicated creative hubs, financial support programs, and initiatives like the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), a $500 million initiative aimed at providing affordable financing for businesses and entrepreneurs in the sector.

The minister also highlighted her ministry’s focus on fostering innovation, improving the business environment, and integrating digital transformation to boost the creative industry.

“From film and music to fashion and visual arts, our strategy will empower young talents to unlock their full innovative potential. The creative economy currently contributes $5.6 billion to Nigeria’s GDP, showcasing the immense potential to elevate ingenuity as the foundation of our economy and culture.

The futuristic leader emphasized partnerships between government and creative organizations to enhance skills development, mentorship, and capacity building. She pointed to programs like the Creative Leap Acceleration Program (CLAP) and Culture Rise as key initiatives to amplify Nigeria’s global presence in the creative ecosystem.
Stressing the importance of intellectual property protection to ensure creators are fairly compensated, she commended the organizers, reaffirming her commitment to building a dynamic environment where the nation’s creativity shines on the global stage.

“I applaud the Black Act team for this inspiring event that unites creative stakeholders under one roof. Let us all feel inspired to contribute to a thriving creative economy for the benefit of Nigeria’s diversity. We envision a collaborative ecosystem where partnerships with industries such as tourism and technology lead to innovative projects that expand our creative landscape.
The event also celebrated the contributions of creative stakeholders in advertising, media, arts, and entertainment. As Nigeria advances its creative economy agenda.