In a bold move to transform Nigeria into a global cultural and tourism powerhouse, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the creation of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation. 

The newly established body will spearhead large-scale investments and infrastructure development in the nation’s creative and tourism sectors, with a target of generating at least $100 billion in revenue and creating two million jobs.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa described the initiative as a turning point for Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy. 

“The corporation will serve as a special-purpose vehicle under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, allowing us to identify, deploy, and finance essential infrastructure,” she stated after Monday’s FEC meeting.

The plan includes major upgrades to existing tourism landmarks such as Obudu Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, and Abuja Creative City, alongside the establishment of a Creative City at the Wole Soyinka Centre in Lagos, a Centre for African Arts, and a Digital Distribution Network. 

The corporation will also oversee the modernization of the National Gallery and the construction of Nigeria’s first national museum in Abuja—a long-overdue addition to the country’s cultural landscape.

A key component of the initiative is the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, which is expected to attract significant local and international investment, ensuring long-term sustainability. The government envisions a tourism and creative economy that rivals those of global industry leaders, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s foremost destination for arts, culture, and entertainment.

Beyond tourism, the initiative will strengthen Nollywood’s global reach, further solidifying Nigeria’s status as a major film production hub. With the right infrastructure in place, industry stakeholders believe Nollywood can compete with Hollywood and Bollywood on a global scale.

Musawa emphasized that Nigeria’s cultural assets remain vastly untapped and that this initiative is the first step in unlocking their full potential. 

“We want to position Nigeria’s cultural assets on the global stage. Imagine the giant of Africa not having a national museum in its capital. This initiative will correct that.

“With the right infrastructure in place, Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors have the potential to be billion-dollar industries,” Musawa added.

The next phase of the project involves mobilizing investors and rolling out development projects, with expectations that this ambitious move will reshape Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy for generations to come.