In a major step towards boosting Nigeria’s cultural and creative economy, the Ekiti State Government and the Federal Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Renewed Hope Cultural, Creative and Tourism Project initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The landmark event, held at the iconic Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre, featured key speeches by Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, who represented the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.
Welcoming the federal delegation, Prof. Bakare described Ekiti as the fastest-developing state in Nigeria in the areas of arts, culture, tourism, and the creative economy.
READ: Africa: Nigeria’s Minister for Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa Highlights Ikogosi’s Tourism Potential, Vows Infrastructural Support
“When I said so, I wasn’t just marketing my state or playing politics,” he stated. “I believe you have started seeing things for yourself. With meaningful collaboration between the federal government and the sub-nationals, this sector — the next oil for Nigeria — will create wealth and jobs, effectively tackling poverty.”
He commended the federal government for selecting Ekiti as one of the beneficiary states of the Renewed Hope project and reaffirmed the state’s readiness to work closely with the federal team.
“We express our willingness to work with you so that together we will succeed. Nigeria will succeed, and Nigerians will succeed,” Bakare declared.
In her keynote address, Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy through the strategic development of the cultural, creative, and tourism sectors.
“The President has identified these sectors as part of his economic diversification strategy,” Musawa explained. “We have created a framework that will be cascaded to every part of Nigeria, recognizing the unique cultural identities of each state.”
She revealed that by the end of the year, creative and cultural cities or villages would be established in every state, aimed at capturing local diversity and boosting tourism and creative industries nationwide.
“Working in silos does not work for Nigeria. Collaboration and sustainable structures that outlive us all are the key. The Renewed Hope project is designed to foster such partnerships,” she said.
Musawa praised Ekiti State for its outstanding academic reputation and contributions to Nigeria’s global image, expressing confidence that the state’s intellectual prowess would drive the success of the partnership.
“My hope is that within the next two years, we will see tangible progress that will move the arts, culture, creative, and tourism industry forward — not just in Ekiti State but across Nigeria,” she added.
The MoU signing at Ikogosi marks another significant milestone in the nationwide rollout of the Renewed Hope Cultural, Creative and Tourism Project, with Ekiti setting a strong example of state-federal collaboration.
