The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has pledged to support the federal government’s initiative aimed at enhancing the growth and development of Nigeria’s creative economy and tourism sectors.

The federal government outlined key strategic interventions to increase the arts, culture, tourism, and creative economy’s contributions to the gross domestic product to $100 billion by 2030, and to create over three million jobs.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya announced this while reading a communique issued after the NGF’s second meeting held late Wednesday night in Abuja.

The communique was signed by the forum’s chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Mr Yahaya said that the governors at the meeting deliberated on the sector and issues affecting the country, including insecurity.

“The forum received a presentation from the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa. Musawa, represented by Mr Obi Asika, Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, made a presentation on the strategic roadmap to grow the sector’s GDP contribution to 100 billion dollars by 2030, and create over three million jobs.

“Other key initiatives include the 200 million dollars Creative Economy Development Fund, the one billion dollar Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Cooperation, and projects such as the Lagos Arena, Abuja Creative City, and Renewed Home Cultural Villages.

“Governors commended the reforms to strengthen intellectual property, expand tourism, and elevate Nigeria’s global presence, and resolved to collaborate through the State Creative Economy Desk, co-created festivals, and the adoption of the Naija Season Platform,” he said

Mr Yahaya said that the forum also commiserated with Governor Usman Ododo over the demise of his father.

The Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of a Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation to invest and develop Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries infrastructure under a public-private partnership PPP model.

The initiative, it said, will propel Nigeria’s creative industry and tourism sector to new heights by unlocking its immense potential, enhancing economic growth, and building global soft power.

The federal government noted that Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents in the creative industry, and the corporation will leverage technology, art, culture, and tourism to strengthen the creative economy.