Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described Lagos State as the hub of the Creative Sector in
Nigeria, hence it has a key role to play in the Federal Government’s economic diversification policy.
Speaking to journalists at the Eko Art Expo in honour of the late Rasheed Gbadamosi in Lagos on Friday evening, the Minister said the Creative Industry, which comprises film, music, all forms of production, fashion,
design, etc., is one of the sectors to be leveraged upon in the government’s
diversification efforts.
”We need to create jobs, both skilled and semi skilled, formalise all
aspects of these industries, make them export products and help
promote and participate in infrastructure development that will
enhance the sector and people’s lives. We cannot achieve this without
Lagos State. With its over 20 million people, Lagos is the home of the
Creative Sector,” he said.
Mohammed said a recent study of the Creative Sector in Lagos
showed the creative businesses surveyed contributed
N2,547,300,490.26 during the reference period, with 61 per cent of the
total Gross Value Added (GVA) derived from the Film industry
alone, while fashion and music contributed 26 and 13 per cent respectively.
He expressed the confidence that under the leadership of Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode, ”we will see an acceleration of these figures,”’
especially because the Governor is providing the enabling environment
needed for the Creative Sector to flourish more.
”Enhanced security across the state, the lighting up of Lagos, the
modern rail system and the 12-lane Lagos-Badagry Highway are the
much-needed ingredients for Lagos to finally seal its place as the hub
of Nigeria’s Creative Sector.
”When we consider the work being done to bolster the industries, from
re-building the National Museum in Lagos in order to celebrate
the culture of preservation and commercialization of Art, the Lagos
Fiesta which is seriously promoting the performance of Music, the
investment into building Theatres across the State and again helping
even the Federal Government to resuscitate our National Theatre
which will bolster that whole economy, and also the building of a home
for Nollywood and the TV production industries in Epe, the Creative
Industry will be given the much-needed wings to finally fly and take
their rightful place globally,” the minister said.
