Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, says the ministry has introduced the Creative Leap Accelerator Programme (CLAP), an initiative to boost economic growth, foster innovation and empower creative talents in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
According to Ms. Musawa, CLAP is an ambitious plan to position Nigeria as a global leader in the arts, culture and creativity sectors.
The minister said the programme will contribute $100 billion to Nigeria's GDP by 2030.
He said capacity building, incubation and collaborations were key steps to achieving the programme's objectives.
“CLAP is designed to foster an environment where talent can thrive, ideas can flourish, and new industries can emerge through comprehensive training, among other things. We are committed to providing comprehensive training, mentoring, and resources to our creatives, ensuring they have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the global marketplace.
“The goals and objectives of CLAP are threefold: capacity building, incubation and innovation, and partnerships; establishment of creative clusters and centres of excellence as incubators for new ideas and businesses.
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She said: “Strategic partnerships with reputable organisations such as Afrexim Bank, Google and others will provide our creatives with a wide range of resources, expertise and opportunities.”
Ms. Musawa said the programme will be driven in synergy with the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship project to ensure a unified approach to empowering Nigerian youth.
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According to her, the hybrid management model will allow the country to effectively address local challenges and leverage the unique cultural strengths of each region.
He added that legislation and policy frameworks were crucial to the success of CLAP. The ministry has initiated work on Intellectual Property Policy to protect the works of creators across the country.
“Data mapping is also central to CLAP’s strategy, and the Origins Initiative provides a comprehensive platform for collecting, storing and analysing data related to Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries,” he said.
(YAYA)