A lot is being done behind the scene to rejuvenate the arts and creative industry just as the ministry targets 100 billion dollars by 2030. SUNNY IDACHABA reports.
Stakeholders in the arts, culture and creative sector of Nigeria’s economy have commended the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy under Barrister Hannatu Musawa, saying, that she is spearheading a transformative initiative to harness the potential of the sector.
With a vision to tap into a projected $100 billion market share by 2030, the ministry is implementing robust policies and fostering strategic partnerships to fuel an economic boom across the creative landscape.
This development is currently being facilitated to ensure players in the cultural and creative economy value-chain have access to $100 billion market share as projected by the federal government through enabling policies.
Already, the minister is using her efficient policy coordination prowess to ramp up efforts and enable policies that create economic opportunities for players in the value chain.
The focused agencies under the ministry that facilitates the implementation of the business-friendly eco-system for the creative economy include National Commission for Museums and Monuments, National Gallery of Arts, National Council of Arts and & Culture, National and Theatre, National Troupe of Nigeria,
Nigeria Film Corporation, National Film and Video Censors Board, Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation and the National Institute for cultural Orientation & National Endorsement For Arts Commission.
Creative economy estimated to be $985 billion
Most notably, the creative economy is worth an estimated $985 billion. At the moment, G20 Insights estimates that by 2030 the creative economy could account for 10 percent of global GDP and Deloitte predicts that by 2030, there would be up to a 40 per cent growth in the creative industry.
According to United Nations estimates, the creative industries account for 3.1per cent of global GDP, generate annual revenues of over $2 trillion and account for nearly 50 million jobs worldwide.
A stakeholder in the arts and culture sector, Prince Eze Chris, said about half of the workers are women and these industries employ more people of ages between 15 and 29 than any other sector. Television and the visual arts make up the largest industries of the creative economy in terms of revenue, while visual arts and music are the largest industries in terms of employment.
Musawa outlines plans
Speaking on the plans of the ministry towards attracting $100 billion by 2030 into the creative economy market, the minister, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, unveiled eight points plan which she chronicled as driving vehicles to achieving the vision. Part of it is to…
“To roll out destination 2030, which is a national initiative to grow the arts, culture and creative economy under a united vision and establish Nigeria as Africa’s creative hub.
According to her, “We are to provide comprehensive skills acquisition and development programmes to ensure that Nigerians have the technical capacity to access opportunities across the creative sector and to fast- track the creation and implementation of policy frameworks that drive revenue generation, job creation and sustainable growth.
“Also, we would institutionalise a cohesive governance structure that fosters collaboration between stakeholders, including the agencies, academia, the private sector and creatives to ensure there is feedback and cohesion between the activities of the ministry and creative eco systems.
“We would also develop smart strategic partnerships which leverage public- private engagement, stimulate investment and expedite innovation and deliver explicit growth targets in line with the 2025 National Development Plan.
“Also, we would deliver an enabling business environment centered on infrastructure development and digital transformation and to promote and sustainably preserve our national cultural heritage.”
Stakeholder laud minister’s efforts
According to Prince Eze Chris, one of the core stakeholders in the industry, there are recorded feats in line with the 8-Point Plan, and some of these feats of the minister.
He noted that, “Establishing ‘brand Nigeria’ already has already recorded major successes on its path to turning Nigeria into a global creative hub. Also, the recognition of the Shango festival as an internationally renowned festival by UNESCO is a huge success. This is to attract huge investments running into billions into the economy.
“Nigeria positioned as destination 2030 is attracting investments already as several MoUs have been signed. Also, the Abuja Creative City is currently on course and would be Africa’s flagship venue for performing and visual arts. Also, the Abuja Creative City which is currently on course is an institute dedicated to the study, research, documentation and promotion of African Arts and Culture.’’
Chris continued that, “The establishment of a total of four creative academies in partnership with Nigerian universities is a good development. Already, 463 individuals were trained in those programmes which is a model for the greater programmes of the ministry.’’
Speaking on some of the achievements of the ministry, the minister on her part also said, “The ministry has launched a creative leap accelerator programme to offer mentorship and develop creative enterprises across the country. The ministry’s policy is focused on protecting intellectual property rights and supporting innovations.
“The ministry has partnered Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) to facilitate the development of a creative economy through business-friendly policies. The partnership with the NESG has facilitated the development of these outlined policies which include National Intellectual Property Rights, National Policy on the Creative Economy, National Cultural Policy, Monetary Policy and Credit, Solutions for the Creative Economy and Incentives Policy for the Creative Economy.
“The National Cultural Policy is also being reviewed with the support of UNESCO and NESG to reflect emerging trends and positive responsiveness. The ministry with the partnership of the NESG is enabling private sector participation in promoting opportunities for the creative industry business.
“The ministry is currently implementing 4 key components to deliver two million jobs in the creative economy. To that extent, the ministry through the National Council of Arts and Culture signed an MoU with the committee of the Nigerian Committee of Vice Chancellor to expand the cultural and creative academy.
“Other partnerships signed include Playhouse Communications with the European Cultural Centre.” Growing the GDP through entrepreneurial support of young Nigerians in music, arts and fashion design, the ministry through its policy template for supporting creative business saw through the registration of 23,221 individual businesses in the creative industry
“The ministry has facilitated access of 516 individuals within the creative economy to access financial training grants. Its policies and action plans have seen the increase of creative industries’ GDP contributions surge by representing a 46 percent increase from the initial baseline as of Q2 2024.
“Revitalising the National Theatre and transforming its surrounding areas into a vibrant hub for arts and entertainment has been completed. The initiative is creating opportunities for artists, performers and entrepreneurs.
“In a nutshell, the ministry has successfully accredited Asaba Film City as part of the UNESCO creative city network because the city is a renown birthplace of Nigeria’s Nollywood. The Film City has seen the annual production of 1000 to 1500 films that resonate globally.
“The Film Village with the support of the ministry hosts international film conferences and artiste’s residency programmes. The Asaba Film City boasts 100,000 film professionals and actors alongside a thriving craft, folk and literary scene.”