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FG To Collaborate With NTDC To Fully Harness Creative Industry Potentials
Joel Ajayi
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Alhaji Lai Mohammed has assured that the Ministry is very much ready to collaborate with the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in order to fully harness tourism potentials in the Country.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during a working visit to the head office of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation NTDC, the Minister said tourism is a fast-growing sector and it needs to be strengthened to harness its full opportunities for growth and development of Nigeria.
He stated that the Creative industry will be the next oil and gas in the nearest future.
According to him, Tourism is not just sight scene, tourism is made up of the entire creative industry and so when talking about tourism we are talking about Music, fashion, film, Monument, Photography and many others.
“When you look at the NTDC act, the mandate is to develop, to promote, to market tourism in Nigeria as well as to bring people to invest.
“This the government believes in the nearest future, the creative industry is going to be the next oil in Nigeria when oil will dry up the creative industry which is our music, our fashion, our films, our heritage sites will remain fresh and attract people into the country.”
Talking about the Ministry’s effort toward the tourism Sector, Alhaji Mohammed expressed: “We have a very serious talk with the DG, we have gone through their challenges, we have also try to proffer solution to all the challenges but what is important is to realize that at NTDC are sitting at the keg of unexplored potentialities, we have the mandate to harness a huge potential of Nigeria to attract people to Nigeria.
“We are Country of colors, country of 250 ethnic groups, we have almost all-round good weather, we have been blessing with film industry which is number two in the entire world, we have been blessing with the music industry that has become global, this why NTDC is important you need to attract tourist to come and see what Nigeria can offer.
“Our the industry is the fastest-growing sector of Nigeria economy today, it employed over 1 million people, but it has the capacity to employ several millions of people
“Our film industry is the least untapped, today we have about 53 cinema houses, and with less than 200 screens with a population of 200million people, we need a thousand cinema houses and at least 6,000 screens.
Our music is growing, last year we made about $51millions dollar, our fashion is growing but the beauty of this creative industry is it employs more people more than any other sector apart from Agriculture and the people that it employ is largely is the younger one.
This is why NTDC needs to work even more with the Ministry so that we can actualize the potentials of this industry.
In his address, the Director-General NTDC, Folorunsho Coker commended the Minister for the visit saying that the visit is apt and would go a long way to boost tourism in the country
He said that “the ‘Tour Nigeria’ project, has driven domestic consumption of tourism assets and products in Nigeria; create new channels of tourism markets as well as generated employment. The brand has restored hope and excitement amongst Nigerians exploring limitless domestic tourism products in the country.
“Also the ‘Nigerian flavour’ initiatives have showcased the diverse gastronomy of Nigeria and promoted Abuja as a destination for fun, hospitality, and relaxation.”
Mr. Coker further stressed that the 5-point action plan initiative called CHIEF is to grow the industry and building a foundation for an attractive destination industry making for domestic and international tourists.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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