Creative Industry

Nigeria and Tunisia to Strengthen Cultural and Tourism Ties

Published

8 months ago

April 14, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Republic of Tunisia has expressed interest in establishing cultural and tourism relations with Nigeria.

His Excellency Moshen Antit, Ambassador of Tunisia to Nigeria, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, in Abuja on Monday.

Ambassador Antit highlighted the potential for collaboration in cultural exchanges and medical tourism between the two countries. He noted that Tunisia boasts advanced medical facilities and expertise, making it an attractive destination for medical tourism in Africa.

“Tunisia is known for its rich history and architecture which makes it a potential attraction for Nigerian tourists. Tunisia has also invested heavily in its healthcare infrastructure, and we believe that our medical services could be a valuable resource for Nigerians and other Africans seeking quality healthcare,” he said.

The Ambassador also invited Nigeria to participate in the International Conference on Financing, Investment, and Trade in Africa (FITA), scheduled for May 6-7, 2025, in Tunisia. He said that the conference is expected to attract over 2,000 participants from 60 countries, providing a platform for discussions on investment opportunities and partnerships in Africa.

“We will be happy to collaborate with Nigeria and explore different ways of building bilateral and multinational partnerships and encourage cultural exchanges among Africans”, the Ambassador said.

In her response, Minister Musawa thanked the Ambassador for his visit and expressed enthusiasm for exploring potential partnerships between Nigeria and Tunisia. She emphasized the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes economic growth through art, culture, and creative economy.

“This is an opportunity for us to strengthen ties within the continent and tap into the potential of our partnership. We look forward to our next meeting to document and seal our proposed cooperation with Tunisia,” Minister Musawa said.

The meeting between the Ambassador and Minister Musawa marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between Nigeria and Tunisia. Both countries are expected to explore ways to promote cultural exchanges, medical tourism, and economic cooperation in the coming months.

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Creative Industry

Musawa Highlights Art and Culture as Drivers of Public Sector Excellence at Legislative Mentorship Session

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has emphasized the importance of integrating art and culture into public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the SA Media & Publicity, Office of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Phd.

Musawa made this known while addressing trainees at the 4th Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja on Thursday.

Themed ‘Building the next generation of Public Sector Leaders’, Minister Musawa highlighted art and culture as essential tools for national cohesion and identity, economic development and job creation, innovation and civic engagement, sustainable development, and projecting Nigeria’s soft power and global identity.

She noted that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a unifying force that binds different ethnicities and elaborated on how Art and Culture is key to public-sector excellence in Nigeria.

“First, embracing and promoting art and culture helps to forge national cohesion and shared identity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Integrating culture into public policy and governance transforms the creative and cultural sectors into engines of economic development, job creation and diversification. Cultural industries including crafts, music, film, design, heritage tourism can generate livelihoods, attract investment, expand exports, and reduce overreliance on a narrow set of economic activities.

“A society that values creativity and cultural expression tends to produce more resourceful citizens, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and encourages public servants to be more adaptive, empathetic, and culturally aware while prioritizing culture and creative economy in public policy through frameworks, institutions, and infrastructure, demonstrates long-term vision and commitment to sustainable development,” Musawa said.

The Minister called for supportive policies, enabling legislation, and sustained commitment to fulfill this vision, including laws that protect intellectual property, incentivize investment in creative infrastructure, and integrate arts and culture into education and community development.

“Embedding art and culture at the heart of governance and public-sector planning is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It builds unity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and ensures that development respects and reflects the soul of the nation,” she emphasized.

Musawa thanked the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his inspiring vision and unwavering commitment to cultivating Nigeria’s future public-service leaders.

Other speakers at the Legislative Mentorship Initiative include the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization Aisha Augie, Nigerian photo-journalist and documentary photographer Bayo Omoboriowo, Amb. Dapo Oyewole, Secretary-General Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures amongst others.

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