Creative Industry
Culture Ministry, National Sports Commission, Unite For Sports City and Creative Infrastructure Development
Joel Ajayi
The Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the National Sports Commission will embark on a groundbreaking partnership to build infrastructure for creatives. This historic collaboration was forged during a meeting between Barr Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, in Abuja, on Thursday.
The Minister emphasised that the two sectors that capture the attention of Nigerian youth are sports and creativity, particularly through music, film, and entertainment. She noted that sports and entertainment have become an integral part of the mindset of young Nigerians, as both sectors have the power to unite youths and Nigerians as a whole. However, she identified the lack of infrastructure as a major challenge hindering the growth of these sectors.
To address this challenge, the Ministry and the National Sports Commission will work together to create an ecosystem that merges sports with art, culture, tourism, and the creative economy. This collaboration will facilitate the development of creative hubs, museums, concert arenas, and game hubs, providing a platform for creatives to thrive.
Minister Musawa highlighted the importance of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise this partnership and unlock the potential of Nigerian youth. She expressed optimism that this collaboration will drive the growth of the creative industry and contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.
“The sports and the creative industries give youths a sense of purpose and identity. Sports have that ability to unite the nation, and likewise music, film and art, so we have a very powerful role to play. When we collaborate, Sports and entertainment can make a major impact. When sports and creativity speak, Nigerians listen and unite, so one can only imagine what we can achieve if we come together and join forces.
“Some of the things that we are working on include the building of the Equestrian City project and Cultural hubs under the Renewed Hope Cultural Project, gaming and animation centres. We can create an ecosystem within the sports and creative community where we can merge, but since the Sports Commission is working on some of these ideas, we can join forces instead of working in silos, so that we can leverage more on comparative advantages to build something unique.”
In his response, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, noted that sports, culture, and creativity are intertwined and work together to break religious and tribal barriers. He emphasised that sports and music are the passions of over 200 million Nigerians and that collaborating to galvanise prospects and work together is the best way forward.
“Creatives and sports are part of our national assets because they bring all together as one. What you have listed here aligns with our Sports City vision. Mr. President has given you the mandate to harness the potential of the creative economy, and given us the mandate to harness the potential of the sports economy.
“We have to collaborate to achieve these. We are ready to give the facilities, enablers and available land to develop all those great ideas that you have mentioned here,” the Chairman said.
Mallam Dikko also highlighted the significant contribution of both sectors to the growth of the economy, stating that only creative and sports can give Nigeria a pathway to greatness. He expressed enthusiasm for the proposed sports city vision and pledged to work together with the Ministry to develop the sports market.
This collaboration is expected to drive growth in Nigeria’s creative industry and sports sector, fulfilling key national objectives. The Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the National Sports Commission anticipate a productive partnership that will foster national unity, stimulate economic growth, and empower Nigerian youth.
Creative Industry
CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026
Joel Ajayi
The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.
Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.
CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.
Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”
On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.
Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.
Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.
CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.
The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.
CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.
CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.
“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.
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