NIGERIA and the European Union have agreed on a €20 million (Twenty Million Euro) initiative to strengthen partnerships between museums and support film festivals and digital creative industries.
The initiative was made known on Thursday in Abuja, when a high-level delegation from the European Union led by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Ambassador Gautier Mignot, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa.
The agreement is part of a broader effort to harness Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to drive economic growth, create jobs, and promote national unity.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of international cultural exchanges and cooperation in promoting economic growth and national development.
The €20 million initiative is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
At the meeting, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa discussed plans to produce a ‘Unity Song’ featuring major Nigerian artists, to promote national unity and address security concerns through music.
“Culture is central to civilization and growth. We must harness our rich cultural heritage to drive economic growth, create jobs, and promote national unity,” the Minister said.
Plans for an upcoming Creative Economy Summit to convene stakeholders, coordinate activities, and avoid duplication of efforts in the creative industry were also highlighted. The summit aims to drive strategic collaboration, investment, and innovation in Nigeria’s creative sector.
The Minister also emphasized the need for data-driven interventions to guide policy decisions and maximize impact in the cultural sector.
She stated that data mapping will be crucial in informing cultural and creative economy interventions, ensuring that efforts are targeted and effective.
The Nigerian government and EU partners expressed commitment to deepen their cooperation in the cultural sector, with a focus on capacity building, digital skills development, and job creation.
Both parties will in future harness the creative industry for job creation and economic growth, and align projects with international best practices while ensuring they are tailored to Nigerian realities.
