Culture

Nigeria approves creative, tourism infrastructure corporation to boost economy

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2025

Nigeria’s cultural sector, Creative Leap Acceleration Programme, Destination 2030

Nigeria launches the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation to drive economic growth, create jobs, and develop world-class infrastructure

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation, a transformative initiative aimed at developing critical infrastructure for the country’s creative and tourism industries.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, announced the approval after the FEC meeting on Monday, stating that the corporation will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

> “The establishment of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation is a special-purpose vehicle under a PPP framework that will enable us to identify, deploy, and finance critical infrastructure needs within the creative industry,” Musawa explained.

The initiative aims to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors, targeting economic growth, investment attraction, and job creation. According to Musawa, the corporation is expected to generate at least $100 billion, contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP, and create over two million jobs for Nigerian youth.

The funding allocated to the corporation will support several key projects, including:

– **Obudu Ranch** and **Yankari Game Reserve** upgrades
– **Abuja Creative City** development
– Establishment of a **Creative City at the Wole Soyinka Centre in Lagos**
– Creation of the **Centre for African Arts**
– Development of a **Digital Distribution Network**
– Upgrading of the **National Gallery**
– Construction of a **National Museum in Abuja**

Musawa highlighted the need for Nigeria’s capital city to have a world-class museum, stressing that infrastructure investment will position Nigeria as a global creative and tourism hub.

> “We want to make Nollywood a major destination,” she added, emphasising the government’s commitment to nurturing talent, innovation, and cultural heritage.

The corporation is expected to drive long-term economic transformation, providing a sustainable framework for infrastructure development in Nigeria’s booming creative and tourism industries.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”