Cynthia Ezegwu
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has called on stakeholders to increase investment in Nigeria’s creative sector to boost inclusive growth, employment, and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Musawa highlighted the sector’s vast potential, noting that the creative economy currently contributes about 2.3 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs over 4.2 million people across various sub-sectors.
In a statement signed by her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Anibeze, the minister cited the success of Nollywood, Afrobeats, and the fashion industry as examples of Nigeria’s growing creative influence, stressing the need for both local and international investment.
“We must create an environment that attracts investors to our creative industries. This requires not only financial incentives but also a strong regulatory framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business,” Musawa said.
She identified limited access to funding, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory challenges as key obstacles to the sector’s growth. The minister urged financial institutions to design instruments tailored to the creative industry’s unique needs and called for more investment in infrastructure and skills development.
READ ALSO: FG Sets Up Committee to Transform Africa’s Fashion Industry
Musawa also pledged that her ministry would continue to push for reforms to enhance the regulatory environment, promote innovation, and support creative entrepreneurs.
“Together, we can build a future where creativity and innovation drive sustainable economic growth and cultural prosperity for Nigeria,” she said.
The summit, themed “Building Productive Sectors: Investing in the Creative Economy,” brought together key industry players, investors, and policymakers to explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.