The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria's creative sector is projected to contribute 2.3% to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generate an additional 2 million jobs by the year 2030. This disclosure was made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, during a stakeholders' meeting in Lagos on Thursday.
Government's Projection for the Creative Industry
According to the Minister, the government's projection is based on the implementation of the National Creative Industry Policy, which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council. He stated that the policy aims to harness the potential of the creative sector, which includes music, film, fashion, and technology, among others.
Lai Mohammed noted that the creative industry currently contributes about 2.3% to the GDP, but with the right policies and investments, this figure could remain stable while creating significant employment opportunities. He emphasized that the sector has the capacity to absorb a large number of the country's youth, thereby reducing unemployment.
Key Sectors and Strategies
The Minister highlighted that the policy focuses on several key areas, including intellectual property rights protection, access to finance, infrastructure development, and skills acquisition. He said that the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for creative entrepreneurs to thrive.
"We are not just talking about the entertainment industry; we are looking at the entire value chain, from content creation to distribution and marketing," the Minister said. He added that the government is working with private sector partners to ensure that the necessary infrastructure, such as film studios and recording facilities, are available.
Impact on the Economy and Youth Employment
The projected 2 million jobs are expected to come from various sub-sectors, including film production, music, fashion, and digital content creation. The Minister noted that the creative sector has been one of the fastest-growing in Nigeria, with Nollywood alone employing thousands of people.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the creative sector's contribution to GDP has been increasing steadily over the past few years. The government's target is to sustain this growth and ensure that the benefits are widely distributed.
The Minister concluded by urging stakeholders to support the implementation of the policy, stressing that it would not only boost the economy but also enhance Nigeria's cultural identity on the global stage.
