Nigeria targets two million creative economy jobs by 2030
Vivian Aghanu
The Federal Government has set a target of creating no fewer than two million jobs in Nigeria’s creative economy by 2030 as part of efforts to diversify the economy and create more employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed this during the Ministerial Roundtable at the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND 2026 in Lagos on Thursday.
Musawa said the government was taking steps to position the creative industry as an important contributor to economic growth, job creation and international trade.
She explained that Nigeria’s creative economy has the potential to provide opportunities for young people, especially as digital technology and artificial intelligence continue to change the way creative products are produced, distributed and commercialised.
According to her, the government is working towards the two-million-job target through policy reforms, improved access to finance, investment in infrastructure and stronger protection of intellectual property.
She also noted that Nigeria’s creative sector has strong potential in areas such as music, film, fashion, visual arts and cultural heritage.
The minister said the government’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that the creative industry moves beyond cultural expression and becomes a stronger source of income, investment and employment for Nigerians.
Stakeholders at the event, however, called for increased investment in infrastructure, funding, intellectual property protection and access to international markets to enable African creatives to turn their talents into sustainable businesses.
The Federal Government’s 2030 target is therefore expected to place greater attention on Nigeria’s growing creative sector and its potential to contribute to the country’s economic development.
