Hannatu Musa Musawa, minister of arts, culture and creative economy, has explained how the ministry is creating opportunities in the creative and cultural economy value chain through policies and the enabling business environment.
The minister in an interview said the current administration is intentional about ensuring a large chunk of the global market share of over $1 trillion comes into Nigeria’s creative industry in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the current administration.
“We are currently embarking on public-private partnerships and have signed partnerships with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to accelerate the process of attracting innovative funding pools for players in the creative eco-system,” she said.
The minister further said that her ministry has partnered with ‘BigWin philanthropy’ a major international development partner to deliver a transformative job creation and industry strategy.
According to her, the ministry was drawn to the ‘Big Win’ partnership because of its achievement in delivering 500,000 Rwandan youths with digital skills and a million sustainable jobs in Cote d’Ivoire.
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She further said that the ministry is implementing four key components to deliver two million jobs in the creative economy through the ‘BigWin partnerships.’
“Firstly, is the job implementation of a job creation strategy that leverages regulatory frameworks, strategic investments, partnerships, and fiscal incentives as the strategy will maximise job creation potentials within,” she said.
She further said that the ministry is currently exploring synergies with Nigeria’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area –(AFCTA) and broader economic expansion initiatives to expand Nigeria’s creative opportunities in Africa’s $3.4 billion African market.
The minister also affirmed ongoing partnerships with critical creative economy eco-system developers such as the Bank of Industry (BOI).
“As a body that primarily supports the enabling of the private sector, the Ministry’s relationship with the BoI will be critical in developing the creative economy by providing incentives, resources and support to attract and retain investments in the creative industries.”
According to the minister, the revitalisation of the National Theatre and transforming its surrounding areas is enhancing the creative industry eco-system and facilitating opportunities in performance spaces, exhibition centres, creative hubs and recreational centres.
She noted that the revitalisation would create opportunities for thousands of Nigerians in the creative industry value chain.
“Artists, performers, and entrepreneurs are already talking to us to explore economic opportunities at the National Theatre,” she added.
