By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA: The minister for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has charged stakeholders in the entertainment industry to collectively explore innovative pathways for financing creative enterprises.

This she suggested is achievable by leveraging digital transformation and strengthening Nigeria’s legal and regulatory frameworks to support entrepreneurs in the industry

“We must also prioritize skills development, intellectual property protection, and access to global markets to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of Nigeria’s creative economy” she said

She spoke Thursday, at the second edition of the Nigerian entertainment and economic roundtable in Abuja where she appreciated the organisers, AFROCULTOUR for providing a platform for dialogue, policy engagement, and investment exploration within the dynamic sectors of art, culture, tourism, and the creative economy

Represented by the director, tourism and culture of the ministry, the minister appreciated the organiser’s efforts which aims at fostering sustainable development, unlocking new opportunities, and advancing Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda

The theme of the summit, “CULTOUR: Unlocking Possibilities and Locating Pathways to Rapid Economic Diversification,” she noted was both timely and strategic as It highlights the immense potential embedded within the country’s cultural, tourism and creative industries, emphasizing their role as viable economic pillars in a world where innovation, creativity and heritage preservation are driving inclusive growth and prosperity.

“Nigeria is richly endowed with an unparalleled cultural heritage, vibrant artistic expressions and a thriving creative industry that has gained global recognition.

“From the nation’s entertainment sectors of Nollywood to Afrobeats, fashion, literature, and tourism, our creative ecosystem has consistently demonstrated its capacity to generate wealth, create employment, and project Nigeria’s identity to the world

“However, the full realization of this potential requires a deliberate and structured approach to policymaking, investment facilitation, and strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors” she said

Consequently, he said the roundtable provides a critical platform for meaningful discourse on how to further develop the nation’s tourism,cultural and creative economy into a significant driver of national growth

“In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this present Administration, this government remains committed to implementing policies and initiatives that promote an enabling environment for the growth of this sector through strategic collaborations with industry stakeholders” the minister said

The convener and chief executive officer, Nigeria Entertainment and Economic Roundtable, Chuks Akamadu underscored the importance of tourism and entertainment saying it is a major contributor to the country’s economic growth

He emphasized the need for government to prioritize the sector which he noted is a major contributor to any nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Akamndu, who decried lack of inclusion of Public Private Partnership in the sector, called for inclusion of all relevant stakeholders and partners in the sector.

He expressed optimism that with the entrance of some private sector players like AfriExim bank, the sector is set to experience a boom in exploration of the huge potentials left untapped. Representatives of state governments made presentations on the levels of progress so far made in their individual states and were unanimous in calling for sustainability big the roundtable to move the sector forward.