Creative Industry

Katsina Governor Pledges Support for Arts and Culture Ministry

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2025

Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, has pledged his state’s support to the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy in areas of culture and artifacts preservation.
Governor Radda made the pledge during a visit to Minister Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Governor expressed admiration for the Minister’s initiatives, stating that Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage and a lot to offer globally in art and culture. He commended the Ministry’s efforts in preserving and retrieving the state’s artifacts while pledging to support the Ministry’s laudable initiatives, which he said, are achievable.

Governor Radda highlighted Katsina State’s efforts in preserving its heritage sites, including the renovation of the Gobarau Minerate for N100m and a contract award of over N640m for the National Museum in Katsina. He stated that the Museum is currently in a dilapidated state, and the state government aims to give it a facelift.

“We are proud of you and willing to support your initiatives, which are achievable. There are a lot of potentials in this ministry, and a lot to showcase to the world. You have a lot of initiatives, and we will be here to support you and your ministry to succeed,” Governor Radda stated.

He emphasized the need to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage and monuments to boost the country’s image and export its culture globally. “Nigeria has very rich cultural heritages, but we don’t have what it takes to showcase them. Previous governments did not tap into the economic expansion of these heritage sites.”

The Governor also highlighted the massive potential of the creative industry in Nigeria, noting the abundance of young talents. However, he acknowledged the lack of amenities to utilize and showcase their talents.

In response, Minister Musawa expressed delight in the Governor’s visit, describing it as one of her highlights of being a minister. She stated that her priority is to ensure the diversification of the economy and explore the vast resources in the tourism industry.

“We hope to have an economic breakthrough in tourism because the income generation in tourism is so huge and yet untapped and uncultivated. We want to build on our heritage and traditions and those beautiful artifacts and cultures that we have to boost domestic tourism,” Minister Musawa said.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of supporting young talents, creating jobs, and stimulating economic expansion through the creative industry.

The Governor’s delegation included the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abdulkadir Nasir; the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Hon Abdullahi A. Turaji; the State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua; the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr Faisal Umar Kaita; the Technical Assistant to the Governor, Dr Babangida Rimi; and the Director Innercore consultant on Culture, Musa Umar Yar’adua.

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Creative Industry

NTDA, LEXLUC Sign MoU to Unlock Nigeria’s Domestic Tourism Potential

Published

22 hours ago

October 23, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd. to promote domestic tourism, cultural heritage and destination awareness across Nigeria.

The agreement establishes a framework for implementing and expanding the Meet My Town, Know My State tourism initiative, which aims to encourage Nigerians to explore destinations within the country, learn about their cultural heritage and support greater community participation in tourism.

Speaking at the signing, Chief Executive Officer of LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd., Mr Oluwole Ajayi, said the initiative was developed to help Nigeria harness its tourism potential, attract investment and create more opportunities within the sector.

“Tourism is number one employer worldwide. Whether we like it or not, we have to key into it and make sure it becomes the number one employer in Nigeria, too,” Ajayi said.

He also referenced plans for a proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival, which he said could complement the initiative’s broader objectives. The proposed event is expected to form part of future tourism activities, subject to the necessary planning and approvals.

Ajayi expressed confidence that the collaboration with NTDA would help advance the initiative and attract investors to Nigeria’s tourism industry.

Director-General of NTDA, Mr Ola Awakan, said the partnership alignes with the authority’s mandate to promote and develop tourism, noting that collaboration with the private sector was important to the sector’s growth.

“It’s a laudable project. We are going to give you national and institutional backing. You are also helping us achieve our mandate, and we are helping you to bring your idea to fruition. So, it is a win-win situation. All of this is in the interest of Nigeria,” Awakan said.

He commended Ajayi for sustaining the initiative and reaffirmed NTDA’s commitment to supporting its objectives within the authority’s mandate.

The Meet My Town, Know My State initiative is designed to raise awareness of Nigeria’s destinations, promote cultural heritage and encourage domestic travel. Its activities may include organised tours, tourism education, awareness campaigns, events and stakeholder engagements across the country.

Under the MoU, LEXLUC will coordinate and implement approved activities, develop tourism packages, mobilise sponsorship and partnerships, and report on progress. NTDA will provide relevant tourism information, institutional coordination, policy guidance and support for stakeholder engagement, subject to its mandate and applicable approval processes.

The signing was coordinated by Head of Legal Services at NTDA, Olufunke Soleye, and Head of Legal at LEXLUC, Mary Oluwatoyin Noibi-Edoze. Director of the Marketing and Promotions Department at NTDA, Mr Olufemi Akinyele, was also present alongside staff members of the department.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations to expand awareness of Nigeria’s tourism offerings and encourage greater participation in domestic tourism.

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