Culture

Nigeria cultural superpower drive to lead Africa in tourism, creativity

Published

1 year ago

June 13, 2025

Nigeria aims to lead Africa as a cultural superpower, with new tourism and creative economy projects under Minister Hannatu Musawa’s vision

Nigeria has declared its readiness to lead Africa as a cultural superpower, positioning itself at the forefront of a continent-wide movement to transform tourism and the creative economy into engines of global influence and sustainable development.

Also read: China-Nigeria cultural exchange strengthened through delegation visit

Speaking at the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) held in Abuja, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, delivered a compelling call to action.

Themed “Boosting Social Impact and Education on Tourism through AI, Innovation and Creative Industries,” the meeting highlighted Africa’s vast potential to shape global narratives through its rich cultural assets.

Musawa emphasised that while the 20th century was driven by hydrocarbons, the 21st will be powered by human imagination. She said Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is shifting from resource dependency to people-powered prosperity by investing in tourism, arts, and the creative industries.

She called for visa integration, cross-border tourism corridors, and platforms that share African stories globally. “Let us invest in African talent with the same intensity that the world once invested in its oil and gas,” she said. “What we have now is more enduring: it is our culture, our people, and our power to inspire.”

Musawa also unveiled ongoing projects that symbolise Nigeria’s ambitions. These include the MEFA Arena in Abuja’s Arts & Culture Village and the Lagos Arena, being developed in partnership with Persianas, Oak View Group and Live Nation.

Along Nigeria’s coast, a major transformation is underway through a partnership with Koko Beach, set to convert pristine shorelines into a sustainable tourism corridor.

“These are not just buildings. They are beacons of a new vision,” Musawa said, outlining broader strategies such as the Creative Economy Development Fund and the Creative Leap Acceleration Programme, aimed at nurturing a new generation of creatives who will produce globally marketable content.

To coordinate these initiatives, a new Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation has been established. It will focus on converting public heritage assets into commercially viable and sustainable destinations through public-private partnerships.

On Brand Nigeria, Musawa introduced a slate of cultural festivals and programmes designed to generate economic impact. These include Destination 2030, Naija Season, Detty December in Lagos, Capital Vibes in Abuja, and Home Coming East, aimed at spotlighting South Eastern Nigeria.

“These brands convert holidays into jobs, flights, hotel nights and small‑business revenues, while amplifying Nigerian stories to the world,” she affirmed.

Also read: Nigerian artists advocate for cultural investment to drive economic growth, national unity

With this renewed drive, Nigeria is positioning itself as Africa’s cultural vanguard, determined to tell stories that resonate globally and redefine the continent’s place in world tourism and entertainment.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week 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.

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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.”