Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, says that the government plans to build world-class entertainment and cultural arenas across the country starting with Lagos and Abuja.
Musawa told a news conference on Thursday in Lagos that the government the Lagos arena project is already underway and will be delivered next year.
“Ideally, we would love to complete it this year, but by next year, we will have a full-scale, world-class facility. Work on the Abuja arena will commence thereafter, with plans to expand to all six geopolitical zones,” she said.
According to the minister, these projects are being developed in partnership with the private sector, ensuring sustainable funding and efficient execution.
The minister also disclosed the construction of the Creative City project which will serve as a dedicated ecosystem for Nigeria’s creative talents has commenced and that it is expected to be fully delivered within five years.
“We are working with private sector investors to ensure that this project moves quickly. When we break ground in the coming weeks, you will see tangible progress,” she said.
Musawa also announced that the government plans to establish a world-class museum in Abuja and that it will address Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of inadequate storage and exhibition facilities for cultural artefacts.
“It is inconceivable that the Giant of Africa lacks a major national museum in its capital. We are determined to change that and ensure our heritage is preserved and properly showcased,” she said.
Musawa also reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Government to increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by $100 billion through strategic investments in the creative industries.
The minister said that the government was committed to leveraging the sector’s vast potential and that the government was actively working with the private sector to develop critical infrastructure, foster intellectual property monetisation, and create an enabling environment for creatives to thrive.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s creative economy contributes significantly to national revenue. Based on global best practices and our own in-depth analysis, we are confident that this sector can add $100 billion to GDP,” she said.
According to the minister, the government has studied the creative economies of countries like South Korea, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan, identifying key policies and infrastructure investments that have driven their growth.
She noted that Nigeria has the talent and market size necessary to replicate similar success.
“We tasked BCG with analyzing countries that have maximized their creative industries, and the results were clear. By implementing structured reforms and targeted investments, we can significantly upscale Nigeria’s creative sector,” Musawa added.
GIK/APA