Nigeria has announced plans to establish a National Museum and a National Theatre in a Creative City to be located in Abuja, the country’s capital.

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, revealed this on Thursday when she presented the 2024 Appropriation Budget draft to the Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy at the National Assembly.

A Milestone for the Creative Sector

According to a report by Vanguard, Musawa said that the construction of the two edifices was a priority for the ministry, which aims to create employment opportunities for the creative sector and the general public.

She added that the project would also promote and preserve Nigeria’s cultural diversity and identity, in line with the constitutional mandate of the ministry.

The minister expressed optimism that the project would be approved by the Senate and completed by 2030, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She said that the ministry had set an aspirational target of contributing N100 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 through the development of the creative economy.

A Vision for the Future

The Creative City project is envisioned to be a hub for innovation, education, entertainment and tourism, where Nigeria’s rich heritage and art can be showcased to the world. The project will include a state-of-the-art National Museum that will house historical and cultural artifacts, as well as a modern National Theatre that will host performances and events.

The project will also feature other facilities such as a library, a conference center, a hotel, a shopping mall, a cinema, a park and a recreational area.

The minister said that the project would be funded through a public-private partnership model, with the involvement of local and international investors and stakeholders.

She appealed to the Senate Committee to support the project and increase the budgetary allocation for the ministry, which she said was grossly underfunded.

A Boost for the Creative Industry

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, commended the minister for her initiatives and assured her of the committee’s cooperation.

He said that the committee recognized the importance and potential of the creative industry in Nigeria and would work with the ministry to ensure its growth and development. He also encouraged the minister to engage in frequent interactions with the committee and other relevant agencies to achieve more synergy and collaboration.

The Creative City project is expected to boost the creative industry in Nigeria, which has been growing in recent years, producing talents and products that have gained global recognition and acclaim.

The project is also expected to attract more tourists and visitors to Nigeria, as well as generate more revenue and employment for the country.