Nigeria’s creative sector is poised for a major transformation, with over $300 million in investment commitments secured and a target to create at least two million jobs by 2027.
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, disclosed this during the Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Friday. She highlighted key achievements and outlined future plans aimed at positioning Nigeria as a global hub for creativity.
“In just 18 months, we have secured over $300 million in investment commitments and launched innovative funding mechanisms like the $200 million Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF),” Musawa said. The CEDF, managed by Afreximbank, is designed to provide affordable financing for businesses in film, music, fashion, and tourism.
She also revealed that the Ministry is developing critical infrastructure and creative hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These projects, alongside the Abuja Creative City initiative, are expected to spur job creation and boost economic growth. “We’re not only elevating Nigeria’s cultural profile globally but also ensuring inclusivity by empowering rural communities, women, and youth,” she added.
The government has identified five key areas in the music value chain, production, marketing, distribution, sales, and performance, which alone could generate over 500,000 jobs by 2030.
To ensure sustainability, the Ministry is actively evaluating 49 sub-sectors of the creative industry, with a focus on music, film, fashion, art, and gastronomy. Policy reforms are also underway, including a new National Intellectual Property Policy aimed at protecting creators’ rights, and updates to long-outdated policies on tourism, culture, and incentives for the arts.
As part of broader efforts, a global-standard arena is under construction in Nigeria to host major music and cultural events, further aligning with the country’s ambition to be Africa’s cultural powerhouse.
In collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and private sector stakeholders, the Ministry is developing a comprehensive policy framework for the arts, culture, and creative economy.
“These efforts reflect our commitment to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s creative industries, supporting innovation, and driving inclusive economic growth,” Musawa said.
With strategic investments, policy reforms, and targeted job creation initiatives, the government is taking bold steps to position Nigeria at the forefront of the global creative economy.
