Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has challenged Nigerians to transform the nation’s rich cultural heritage into an engine of economic growth capable of creating millions of jobs and driving sustainable development.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day Culture and Creative Economy Summit at the Landmark Nike Resort, Enugu, the governor, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia emphasized that the creative economy must be recognized as central to Nigeria’s future prosperity.
“Enugu State stands firmly with the Federal Government on this vision. We are ready to provide platforms, infrastructure, and partnerships to unlock the true potential of Nigeria’s creative sector; from Nollywood to Afrobeat, from heritage tourism to digital innovation. The creative economy is not merely entertainment; it is Nigeria’s blue economy,” Mbah declared.
He reminded participants that his administration has set an ambitious target of growing Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2030, noting that contributions from every sector will be crucial to achieving the goal. He also announced that Enugu will host the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in November 2025, assuring that the state has made significant investments in infrastructure to ensure a successful event.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Lyndsay Duthie of the University of Creative Arts, UK, argued that collaboration, innovation, and technology are essential to converting culture into economic wealth. “Culture and creativity equal economic power,” she said, stressing that Nigeria must invest in education, skills development, and incentives to nurture talent and build a globally competitive creative industry.
Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, described the creative economy as a pathway to national prosperity, projecting that Nigeria could achieve a $100 billion creative economy by 2030 and $250 billion by 2035 with deliberate investments. He also commended Enugu for its readiness to host NAFEST 2025.
Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, in her welcome remarks, hailed the summit as a milestone for Nigeria’s creative industry. She said the theme, “Monetising Culture and Creative Industries at the Sub-National Level,” underscores the fact that culture is more than entertainment, it represents wealth, jobs, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked.
The summit attracted commissioners, directors, and senior officials of culture and tourism from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside federal agencies and stakeholders in the creative industry.
