The Minister of Art, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) she signed with the British Council recently was designed to elevate Nigeria’s creative and cultural sectors by fostering international collaboration, enhancing capacity development and opening new opportunities for creative professionals through partnership-driven initiatives.
A press release from the ministry said she made this statement when she met with officials of the British Council on Wednesday, February 26, in Lagos.
This development followed the recent unification of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, which brought together key sectors to drive culture and economy growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Musawa noted that the new structure reflects a clear vision for advancing Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage and positioning it as a global creative power house.
She said: “The MOU marks a turning point in Nigeria cultural and creative landscape, laying the ground work for greater investment, international recognition and sustainable growth in the years to come.
“The three-year agreement, with provision for review and renewal, will be overseen by a Joint Working Committee(JWC), ensuring the smooth implementation of the program and the fulfillment of key objectives.”
While describing the agreement as a step towards a more structured and internationally competitive creative economy, the minister said: “Nigeria’s creative industry holds immense potential, and this partnership provides a framework for harnessing that potential in ways that are both sustainable and globally relevant.
“Our goal is to create a thriving ecosystem where artists and cultural professionals can flourish contribute to the economy, and shape Nigeria’s cultural narrative on the world stage.”
The County Director of the British Council, Lucy Pearson, in her speech, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to work with the ministry to strengthen Nigeria’s creative sector.
“Nigeria has one of the most vibrant creative industries in the world,” she said, adding, “Through the MOU, we aim to build bridges between creative communities, provide platforms for talent development, and ensure that Nigeria’s artistic contributions are recognised and celebrated globally.”
Core areas of the MOU include capacity development and training; cultural exchange and international collaboration; screen Nigeria at Cannes & Filmlab short screening; policy development and institutional support; research and data-driven growth.
