“Invest in Nigeria’s creative industry”—NANTAP urges Tinubu
By Jennifer S Kuwanta
The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has urged the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invest in the creative industry by taking definite steps that will develop it to the standards of a global competitor.
The group noted that Nigeria requires a leader who will be bold, daring, and innovative, with ideas and actions planned to develop alternative industries and sectors that will grow the economy, create employment and reduce youth restiveness.
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NANTAP also appealed to the President-elect, to include in his administration’s economic agenda, the establishment of a stand-alone Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a priority, as this has the potential to take Nigeria out of the economic woods.
They made a plea to the incoming President to seek out men and women with the technical abilities and know-how of creative administration and economy to drive the entire process.
“The task before this Ministry can never be realized or fulfilled if the sector will continue to be used for political compensation.”
The group urged Tinubu to create a conducive environment for the sector to thrive, through enabling laws, infrastructural development, funding platforms that bridge the funding gaps experienced by industry players.
They beckoned him to create a Ministry of Culture and Tourism built on technical know-how that can bring about the required development that turns the creative industry into an economic powerhouse and employment generator that rivals oil and gas, telecommunications and agriculture as is obtainable in India, Brasil and the United States.
They employed the President-elect, stating for a fact that the creative industry will help grow the economy, create employment and reduce youth restiveness. They noted that:
“The Nigerian creative industry has
grown in leaps and bounds in the last decade and has become a key contributor to the Nigerian GDP, creating employment and taking many Nigerians from the poverty ladder.
“Statistics show that in 2020, the creative industry accounted for over 730 billion Naira of Nigeria`s GDP, provided 2.4 million jobs, with a projection to gross over 15 billion dollars and create additional 2.9 million jobs by 2025.”
NANTAP extended their trust and hope in the President-elect to take the right steps to help the creative industry come to limelight in Nigeria.
“We believe you are rightly placed to right this negative trend and provide every Nigerian youth, a platform that guarantees him/her some measure of economic hope and freedom.”
