In honour of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy is organizing the major cultural event “Destination 2030 Nigeria” on September 24. In order to promote and present Nigeria’s rich cultural legacy and creative industries on a worldwide scale, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is sponsoring this event. The program’s objectives are to draw attention to Nigeria’s artistic assets, encourage global cooperation, and advance the development of the nation’s creative industry.
Officials from government agencies, artists, legislators, and other relevant parties will be among the key attendees, participating in networking activities, cultural dialogues, and creative presentations. It is anticipated that the event will include talks with prominent individuals in arts and culture, live acts by local performers, Fashion shows, visual art exhibits, and a Nigerian cuisine-focused gourmet experience. The initiative is a part of the ministry’s larger plan to establish Nigeria as a leader in innovation, cultural diversity, and creative creativity on a worldwide scale.
It will establish Nigeria as the world’s primary centre for the creativity.
Support from important industry players including the African International Film Festival, the National Council for Arts and Culture, the National Theatre, and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization will help arrange it. Opening ceremonies and workshops are planned for September 24 at 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM, respectively, for the “Destination 2030 Nigeria” event. Panel discussions, displays, and workshops will take place all day long. A panel discussion titled “The Future of Nigerian Arts and Culture” with well-known Nigerian artists and cultural authorities is one of the main sessions.
A unique tribute to Nigeria’s musical luminaries will be among the live performances by prominent Nigerian artists throughout the evening. Alatise and Njideka Akunyili Crosby, two up-and-coming artists, will exhibit their works at the visual arts exhibition, while collections by well-known designers like Deola Sagoe and Lisa Folawiyo will be showcased in the fashion showcase. The goal of the occasion is to establish Nigeria as the world’s primary centre for the creative and cultural sectors. The Ministry hopes to pull in a sizable amount of foreign capital to support Nigeria’s creative Economy through international collaborations. This might result in the creation of jobs, a rise in tourism, and a rise in cultural exports.
Nigeria has one of the most thriving creative economies in Africa.
Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah, International Cultural Ambassadors from UNESCO and the African Union, and Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed are among the well-known attendees. Nigeria has one of the most thriving creative economies in Africa, with over $8 billion coming into the national economy in 2022. Nigeria’s music industry, notably Afrobeat, has garnered international prominence with singers like Burna Boy and Wizkid receiving international prizes. The country’s film industry, Nollywood, is the second largest in the world by volume.
Previously, the Ministry has undertaken projects like “National Cultural Policy” and “Project ACT Nollywood,” which have centred around building Infrastructure and giving money to support the creative industry. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stressed the importance of the occasion by saying, “Destination 2030 Nigeria is a strategic initiative to elevate Nigeria’s position on the global creative map, not just a celebration of our cultural heritage.” Afreximbank’s Benedict Oramah stated, “Our objective to promote intra-African Trade and cultural exchanges is aligned with supporting Nigeria’s creative industries.”
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Additionally, it is anticipated that the occasion will draw thousands of tourists from outside, stimulating the travel industry and having a knock-out effect on the lodging and transportation sectors. The goal of the event is to enhance foreign perceptions of Nigeria by presenting its rich cultural heritage. This helps to foster stronger diplomatic ties and result in new trade collaborations. Over time, the project may spur additional funding for the creative industries’ infrastructure, technology, and educational programs.