Nigeria’s National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the creation of “Renewed Hope Creative Villages,” aimed at revitalising the country’s historic and cultural heritage sites. The decision was unveiled by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu after the final NEC meeting of 2024, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The initiative was presented by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa. The villages are envisioned as hubs for preserving heritage while boosting the creative economy.
Sanwo-Olu explained: “The whole idea is for the ministry to be able to work; first, with, a lot of the sub-nationals to identify some of these sites and identify some of these very historic locations, and see how they are adopted, into the creative villages, as a one-stop shop, which we believe will not only enhance, protect, today and the future of these sites, but will also bring a lot of light, visibility and viability to it.”
The project is expected to create jobs, generate revenue for local governments, and elevate Nigeria’s global image. The council highlighted the untapped opportunities within the creative industry, particularly in rural areas with rich cultural heritage.
“You know, creative villages and they were able to put forward justification for this initiative. I mean, not only do they believe it will create jobs, it will also enhance, the revenue of the various locations that, by extension, revenue generation for government,” Sanwo-Olu said.
To ensure the initiative’s success, NEC also approved increased funding for the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy. The council agreed that adequate budgetary support is essential for the ministry to implement its plans without relying solely on state-level contributions.
At the end of the day, Council also deemed it fit that at the federal level, they also need to support the ministry more by ensuring that they give them adequate budgetary support so that they don’t go to the entire sub nationals cap in hand. So, it was resolved that the ministry should also be given adequate support and it was unanimously agreed,” Sanwo-Olu concluded.
