Nigeria’s National Policy on Culture is in its final review stage, 37 years after its last update, aimed at aligning with global creative economy trends

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has announced that the review of the country’s National Policy on Culture is at its final stage, marking a significant milestone 37 years after the last update.

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The policy has long remained in draft form since its last review in 1988, despite its critical role in shaping Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries.

In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, Musawa revealed that the review process, which began in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is now nearing completion.

The document was last updated in 1988, but the evolving cultural landscape and the rapid growth of Nigeria’s creative economy have prompted the need for a new framework to guide future development.

A Cultural Policy Drafting Committee, which was inaugurated in July 2024, consists of over 100 members divided into sub-groups tasked with researching, developing, and refining the policy framework.

After successfully completing a virtual drafting process in December 2024, the committee moved to a physical drafting exercise to consolidate and refine the document, ensuring it aligns with contemporary trends in the global cultural and creative economy.

Musawa emphasized that the final stage of the process involves stakeholder engagement and validation, after which the policy will be submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

“In recognition of the urgency of these reforms, the ministry initiated this comprehensive review process to ensure that Nigeria’s cultural framework aligns with global best practices and reflects the evolving creative economy,” Musawa explained.

She added that the policy would address the shift from a creative industry to a creative economy, ensuring the sector’s growth and integration into the broader economic framework.

The review process is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the administration’s commitment to advancing cultural development.

Musawa highlighted the importance of the policy as a legal framework that will guide the preservation, promotion, and development of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Musawa also acknowledged the contributions of the NESG and UNESCO in facilitating a structured and inclusive review process. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024, NESG provided essential research, technical support, and strategies for stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the policy meets national and international standards.

UNESCO’s technical assistance has played a crucial role, offering workshops, expert guidance, and training to ensure that the revised policy aligns with global best practices and supports the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy.

Ikenna Nwosu, a facilitator at NESG who participated in the policy drafting process, commended the long-overdue intervention. “For 37 years, this policy remained unchanged despite the rapid transformation of the cultural and creative sectors. Ideally, such policies should be reviewed every five to ten years,” he said.

He further noted that the creative industry has outpaced governance, and the review would help ensure that policies catch up with the sector’s growing economic potential.

Nwosu also praised the leadership of Minister Musawa in driving the review, stating that it would reposition Nigeria’s cultural sector as a key contributor to the country’s GDP, ensuring that the creative economy is harnessed for national growth.