In a bold move to harness the nation’s creative potential, Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to position Nigeria as a global leader in the art, culture, and creative sectors.
Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa disclosed this during the flag-off of the Creative Leap Accelerator Program (CLAP), a flagship initiative designed to drive economic growth, foster innovation and empower creative talents.
Musawa who stated that with a vision to contribute $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030, CLAP represents a 20-fold increase from the current state, emphasised the importance of capacity building, incubation, and collaboration in achieving CLAP’s objectives.
“CLAP is designed to foster an environment where talent can thrive, ideas can flourish, and new industries can emerge. Through comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources, we aim to empower our creatives to excel and innovate.
“We are committed to providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources to our creatives, ensuring that they have the skills and expertise needed to succeed in the global market.
“The goals and objectives of CLAP are threefold: capacity building, incubation and innovation, and collaboration and partnerships. We are establishing creative clusters and centers of excellence that will serve as incubators for new ideas and enterprises.
“Strategic partnerships with renowned organizations such as Afrexim Bank, Google, and others will provide a wide array of resources, expertise, and opportunities to our creatives.”
The Minister stated that CLAP will also synergize with the National Council for Arts and Culture’s Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship project, ensuring a unified approach to empowering Nigerian youth.
“This hybrid management model will allow us to effectively address local challenges and harness the unique cultural strengths of each region. Legislation and policy frameworks are crucial to CLAP’s success.
“The Ministry has kicked off the Intellectual Property Policy work and the Cultural & Creative Economy Policies, providing a supportive framework for creatives.
“Data mapping is also central to CLAP’s strategy, with the Origins initiative providing a comprehensive platform for collecting, storing, and analyzing data related to Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries.”
The Minister’s recent appointment to the Creative Africa Advisory Group (CAAG) of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is expected to provide strategic guidance and advocacy, ensuring Nigeria’s creative sector receives the necessary support.
As Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey, the Creative Leap Accelerator Program represents a bold and innovative step towards harnessing the nation’s vast creative potential.
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