In a move to harness the nation’s creative potential, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy has unveiled a plan to position Nigeria as a global leader in the art, culture, and creative sectors.
Nigerian Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa made this known at the flag off of the Creative Leap Accelerator Program, CLAP, a flagship initiative designed to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and empower creative talents.
Musawa stated that with a vision to contribute $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030, CLAP represents a twenty-fold increase from the current state. She emphasized the importance of capacity building, incubation, and collaboration in achieving CLAP’s objectives.
“CLAP is designed to foster an environment where talent can thrive, ideas can flourish, and new industries can emerge. Through comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources, we aim to empower our creatives to excel and innovate.
“We are committed to providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources to our creatives, ensuring that they have the skills and expertise needed to succeed in the global market.
“The goals and objectives of CLAP are threefold: capacity building, incubation and innovation, and collaboration and partnerships. We are establishing creative clusters and centres of excellence that will serve as incubators for new ideas and enterprises.
“Strategic partnerships with renowned organizations such as Afrexim Bank, Google, and others will provide a wide array of resources, expertise, and opportunities to our creatives,” Musawa said.
The Minister added that CLAP will also synergize with the National Council for Arts and Culture’s Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship project, ensuring a unified approach to empowering Nigerian youths.
“This hybrid management model will allow us to effectively address local challenges and harness the unique cultural strengths of each region,” Musawa said.
The Minister’s recent appointment to the Creative Africa Advisory Group, CAAG of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is expected to provide strategic guidance and advocacy, ensuring Nigeria’s creative sector receives the necessary support.
As Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey, the Creative Leap Accelerator Program represents a bold and innovative step towards harnessing the nation’s vast creative potential.
Lantana Nasir
