Mr Emeka Rollas, National President and Convener of Concerned Creatives Artistes and Entertainers Initiative for Tinubu, has called for the sustainability of reforms introduced in Nigeria’s creative sector under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Rollas made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a news conference and unveiling of the initiative.
He said the creative industry was receiving unprecedented attention under the current administration and had been recognised as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
According to him, Tinubu laid the foundation for the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
He said the administration created an enabling environment that encouraged private-sector investment in entertainment, culture, tourism, media and other creative enterprises.
“Lagos became the preffered destination for film production, using recording, cultural festivals, fashion events and creative entrepreneurship.
“Today, Tinubu has elevated that vision to the national stage. For the first time in our nation’s history, the creative economy is being positioned as major contributor to our GDP growth, employment and foreign exchange earnings.
“One of his landmark achievements was the creation of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, giving the sector the focused attention it deserves.
“Another is the establishment of the 100-million-dollar Creative Economy Development Fund, designed to provide access to financing for filmmakers, unicorns, fashion enterprenuers, designers, digital innovators, artists, e.t.c.
“Tinubu’s administration also commenced the implementation of the 617.7-million-dollar investment in digital and Creative Enterprises (IDICE) Programme which is focused on empowering young Nigerians within the digital and creative economy.
“These initiatives, reforms and achievements need sustainability and continuity to ensure that Nigerians get the full benefits. Therefore we need to support Tinubu in 2027, ” Rollas said.
Rollas added that the administration had approved the establishment of Renewed Hope Creative Villages across the country to provide world-class infrastructure for training, production, incubation, collaboration, innovation and cultural preservation.
He also said the government had invested in capacity building through training programmes targeting thousands of young Nigerians in film production, fashion enterprise development and other creative disciplines.
According to him, another significant achievement is the ongoing review of Nigeria’s National Policy on Culture.
Rollas further noted that the administration had appointed respected industry practitioners, including Ali Nuhu, Shaibu Husseini, Obi Asika and Dr Olayiwola Awakan, into strategic leadership positions in key government institutions.
“These appointments represent trust in competence, experience and leadership capacity of creative professionals.
“We may not have reached <span;>our final destination, but there is no doubt that significant steps has been taken.
“On behalf of concerned stakeholders within the Nigerian creative industry, we acknowledge the efforts of Tinubu and his administration in repositioning the creative sector as a major driver of national development.
“We believe that continuity will provide an opportunity for these initiatives to mature, expand and deliver greater benefits to millions of Nigerians working across the creative value chain,” he said.
Rollas said the Concerned Creatives, Artistes and Entertainers Initiative for Tinubu had established structures in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to drive stakeholder engagement and grassroots mobilisation.
According to him, the movement is founded on civic participation, democratic responsibility and national development.
The stakeholders from the public and private sectors attended the event.
