Vice President Kashim Shettima has firmly thrown his weight behind the burgeoning Nigerian creative and entertainment industry, expressing his unwavering support at a meeting in Abuja with key industry stakeholders led by Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
During the meeting, Mr. Shettima underscored the industry’s pivotal role in the country’s economic diversification plans and pledged substantial support through the Investment in the Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program. He emphasized the industry’s potential to bolster the nation’s image and contribute significantly to the economy.
Mr. Shettima reiterated the government’s commitment to allocate a substantial portion of funding from the iDICE program to the creative industry. He applauded the industry for nurturing entrepreneurial spirit and driving innovation, vowing to position the sector at the forefront of the nation’s economic diversification efforts.
In a resolute stance, Mr. Shettima referenced Archimedes, stating, “Give me a place to stand and, with a lever, I will move the whole world,” affirming his confidence in the administration’s capability to propel the nation forward economically. He also highlighted the government’s proactive measures by securing an increase in budget allocation for the ministry, from N1.1 billion to N9 billion, demonstrating tangible support for the industry’s growth.
The Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, lauded the Vice President’s commitment to the industry’s growth, emphasizing the government’s plans to craft a roadmap for the sector’s flourishing. She also stressed the crucial role of Intellectual Property securitisation in attracting investment, assuring industry players of the government’s efforts to secure necessary IP protections.
The meeting drew the presence of influential creative industry players, including Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ali Nuhu Mohammed, alongside Ado Isah Gwanja and Mansura Isah, who expressed their enthusiasm about the government’s renewed focus on the sector.
The Vice President’s unequivocal support and the government’s proactive measures signal a new era of growth and development for the Nigerian creative and entertainment industry, reinforcing its stature as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic landscape.
