The Federal Government says it is targeting the creation of two million jobs in Nigeria’s creative industry by 2030 as it seeks to turn the country’s cultural heritage and creative talent into profitable businesses.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed this on Friday at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Kano Creative Summit.
The two-day summit, organised by the National Theatre, was themed, “Beyond Lagos: Unlocking Northern Nigeria’s Creative Economy.”
Musawa urged creative practitioners in Northern Nigeria to take greater ownership of their works, build sustainable business structures and make effective use of intellectual property to earn long-term income.
She said Kano’s creative heritage showed that the city had operated a thriving creative economy long before the term became part of government policy.
According to her, Kano’s centuries-old dyeing pits, leatherwork, weaving, embroidery, blacksmithing, traditional performances and Kannywood film industry represent valuable economic assets that can generate significant revenue when properly organised and commercialised.
“Kano had a creative economy long before anyone gave the name creative economy to the industry,” she said.
The minister said the Federal Government was focused on creating an environment where creative talent could translate into employment, investment and sustainable businesses.
She encouraged practitioners to move beyond producing creative works and pay greater attention to ownership, branding, commercialisation and protection of intellectual property.
The summit formed part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s creative economy beyond Lagos and equip practitioners with skills needed to build viable enterprises.
Musawa said Northern Nigeria had enormous creative potential which, if properly harnessed, could contribute significantly to job creation and economic development by 2030.
