FG will establish renewed hope cultural villages nationwide, says Abiola Abdulkareem

Abiola Abdulkareem, special assistant to Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism, and creative economy, says the federal government is planning to establish renewed hope cultural villages nationwide.

Speaking with journalists on Monday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, Abdulkareem said the villages will preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, promote tourism, and drive economic growth.

He said they will be established in partnership with state governments, to transform historic sites into creative hubs, and to enhance job creation in the arts and entertainment sectors.

“The project’s success relies on the active participation and collaboration of state governments, local communities, and stakeholders,” he said.

“By working together, Nigeria can unlock the transformative power of its arts, culture, tourism, and creative industries for sustainable development and social cohesion.

“The initiative, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economy, creating thousands of jobs and generating revenue through tourism and creative enterprises.”

Abdulkareem said the initiative will restore and conserve historic sites, monuments, palaces, and artefacts and enhance cultural education and capacity building in local crafts.

He said Musawa is committed to boosting Nigeria’s economy through innovative programmes and policies by forging partnerships in the creative industry to unlock job opportunities for the teeming youths.

He said the initiative will not only promote Nigeria’s creative industry but also contribute to the country’s economic diversification and development.

Abdulkareem added that the initiative has been approved by the national economic council (NEC).