ABUJA
– The federal government plans to initiate the “Renewed Hope Cultural Project,” a countrywide program aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural legacy, boosting tourism, and driving economic development.
This initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and seeks to protect Nigeria’s extensive cultural heritage while fostering economic growth by developing Renewed Hope Cultural Villages throughout the country.
Recently, speaking with reporters in Ilorin via telephone, Barr. Abiola Abdulkareem Jagunlabi, who serves as the Special Assistant to the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, and is also the project coordinator, detailed the goals of this new initiative.
He emphasized strategies for rehabilitating and protecting historical locations, landmarks, royal residences, and treasures, along with boosting cultural instruction and strengthening skills within nearby artisan communities.
Jagunlabi highlighted that this program aims to bolster rural areas by delivering vocational education, furnishing local craftsmen with business acumen, and presenting alternate professional routes for young Nigerians.
“The plan involves investing in historic sites, landmarks, and natural attractions, providing vocational skill development for women and young people in rural regions, and hosting lively cultural festivals and tourism events to showcase Nigeria’s rich diversity,” he said.
He additionally emphasized that the project’s success hinges on working together with state governments, local communities, and various stakeholders.
“Through collaboration, Nigeria has the potential to utilize the transformative impact of its arts, culture, tourism, and creative sectors for sustainable growth and social unity,” Jagunlabi emphasized.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hajia Hannatu Musa Musawa, is leading initiatives aimed at fostering economic development via cutting-edge programs and policies.
She is proactively building alliances to foster growth within the creative sector, thereby opening up job prospects for young Nigerians.
The art and cultural industry in Nigeria holds substantial promise for enhancing tourism and fostering economic development.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTWC) reports that Nigeria’s tourism industry accounted for around $7.2 billion, which represents roughly 2.8% of the country’s GDP in 2019.
By strategically investing in cultural tourism, this number could rise substantially, leading to increased employment opportunities and higher foreign exchange revenues.
Nations like France and Italy, which boast robust cultural tourism sectors, earn billions each year from their historical sites and events.
Through harnessing its rich tapestry of cultural elements—which includes more than 250 distinct ethnic groups, numerous traditional celebrations, and iconic historic sites—Nigeria has the potential to draw greater numbers of global visitors and boost domestic tourism income.
Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that more than 4.2 million Nigerians are now employed in the creative sector, suggesting substantial room for growth should adequate support be provided.
Jagunlabi further disclosed that the National Economic Council (NEC) has provided complete support for the initiative, acknowledging the essential part played by state governments in guaranteeing its successful implementation.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
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