The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has taken a major step toward finalizing Nigeria’s National Policy on Culture, as it hosts a Physical Drafting Exercise in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This initiative reflects the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to cultural development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The National Policy on Culture, last reviewed in 1988, has remained in draft form for over 37 years despite its significance in shaping Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries. Recognizing the urgency of this reform, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., initiated this comprehensive review process, ensuring that Nigeria’s cultural framework aligns with global best practices and reflects the evolving creative economy.
A Historic Effort to Finalize the National Cultural Policy
The Honourable Minister inaugurated the Cultural Policy Drafting Committee in July 2024, comprising over 100 members, divided into sub-groups to research, develop, and refine the policy’s framework. The Committee successfully completed the virtual drafting process in December 2024, leading to the need for a physical drafting exercise to consolidate and refine the document. This finalization stage will prepare the policy for the Honourable Minister’s Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Exercise before submission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
Speaking at the event, the Director, Entertainment and Creative Economy Department, Mrs. Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, emphasized the importance of this exercise in repositioning Nigeria’s cultural sector:
> “The National Policy on Culture serves as a legal framework guiding the preservation, promotion, and development of Nigeria’s cultural heritage. This review will ensure that our policy reflects contemporary trends, particularly the shift from a creative industry to a creative economy. With this exercise, we are solidifying a roadmap that will strengthen Nigeria’s identity on the global stage.”
Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, a facilitator at NESG, described the review as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s cultural history, commending the Honourable Minister’s decisive action:
“For 37 years, this policy remained unchanged despite the rapid transformation of the cultural and creative sectors. Ideally, such policies should be reviewed every 5 to 10 years. What we are witnessing today is a long-overdue intervention. The industry has moved far ahead of governance, and this exercise is an essential step in ensuring that policies catch up with the sector’s economic potential. The Honourable Minister’s leadership in driving this review is commendable, as it will reposition our cultural sector as a key contributor to Nigeria’s GDP.”
Mr. Ifeanyi Ajaegbo, UNESCO Representative, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the policy review process, highlighting its alignment with international cultural governance standards:
“UNESCO strongly supports Nigeria’s effort in updating its National Policy on Culture. Our partnership with the Ministry ensures that the policy aligns with UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which fosters the creation, production, distribution, and access to diverse cultural goods and services. This will establish a more structured, participatory, and transparent cultural governance system in Nigeria.”
Strengthening the Creative Economy Through Policy Reform
The Ministry’s partnership with NESG has been instrumental in ensuring a well-structured and inclusive review process. Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024, NESG has provided research, technical support, and stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure that the final policy meets both national and international standards.
Additionally, UNESCO’s technical assistance has played a key role in training Ministry staff and NESG representatives to align the revised policy with global best practices. The organization has facilitated workshops and provided expert guidance to ensure that Nigeria’s policy supports the growth of the creative economy while preserving cultural heritage.
Next Steps: Stakeholder Engagement and Finalization
The Physical Drafting Exercise, scheduled from March 20 to 24, 2025, at Blue Spring Hotel, Abuja, marks the final phase of policy consolidation. Following this, the Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Exercise will be conducted, paving the way for the policy’s submission to FEC for approval.
With this milestone, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has reaffirmed its commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s cultural sector, ensuring that it not only serves as a tool for social cohesion and national identity but also as a driver of economic growth and international cultural exchange.
Chindaya Ahmadu
Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy
March 20, 2025