….. Aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Cultural and Creative Renaissance
The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, has commended the official launch of Tikera Africa’s “The Village” in Abuja as a transformative milestone in advancing Nigeria’s creative economy, empowering local artisans, and preserving cultural heritage, all in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The high-profile event brought together leading voices from the culture, arts, and media sectors to celebrate Tikera Africa’s bold vision for an inclusive and economically viable creative industry across Africa. Founded by internationally acclaimed photographer and creative entrepreneur Bayo Omoboriowo, Tikera Africa is a Culture, Creative, and Media Industry (CCMI) enabler dedicated to building sustainable creative ecosystems through innovation, infrastructure, education, and policy advocacy.
In her remarks, Honourable Minister Musawa described the launch as an important moment for Africa’s creative economy, noting that the Ministry’s partnership with Tikera Africa, particularly through the Reimagining Hope Residency, has already yielded impactful results. This residency brought together exceptional Nigerian artists whose works blend cultural heritage with contemporary relevance, enriching the National Art Collection and showcasing Nigerian creativity in government institutions and embassies around the world.
One of the signature highlights of the day was the unveiling of a women-led artisan empowerment programme in partnership with the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim. The programme seeks to transform traditional craftsmanship such as weaving into profitable enterprises, equipping underserved women with marketable skills, business mentorship, and access to enterprise incubation hubs.
“This initiative does not merely teach weaving, it transforms lives,” Honourable Minister Musawa emphasised. “It preserves our heritage while giving women the tools to achieve economic independence. Our artisan communities are not relics of the past, they are living custodians of innovation and identity.”
She further emphasised the alignment between Tikera Africa’s mission and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, youth empowerment, cultural diplomacy, and the diversification of Nigeria’s economy. “By combining education, craftsmanship, and creative enterprise, we are charting a path where the creative sector becomes a strong contributor to GDP growth, tourism development, and international trade,” she stated.
The Minister reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to:
- Scaling access to creative residencies, training hubs, and enterprise support across Nigeria.
- Championing artisans and creatives to ensure their work is both celebrated and economically sustainable.
- Amplifying Nigerian creative expression globally, positioning the nation as a hub for cultural tourism and innovation.
Tikera Africa’s “The Village” will serve as a dynamic hub for cultural exchange, creative incubation, and enterprise development. It builds on the success of MADhouse by Tikera, established in 2023 at the University of Lagos, which has earned international recognition and hosted dignitaries including Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and former President of Mauritius Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
Its flagship programmes include:
- Afri’talent Project, in partnership with the African Union and GIZ.
- Lens-based Incubation Programme, featuring a $10,000 seed fund for emerging creatives.
- Creative Leap Accelerator Programme (CLAP), offering entrepreneurial skills and global market readiness.
- Reimagining Hope Residency, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
“These initiatives are building a generation of African creatives who are not just dreamers, but builders, job creators, and global ambassadors of our culture,” Minister Musawa affirmed.
As the Honourable Minister concluded, she called for deeper collaboration between government, private sector, academia, and civil society to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s creative economy:
“Tikera Africa’s vision mirrors our national mission, to create an enabling environment where creativity, education, and enterprise work hand in hand to transform lives. Together, we can reimagine an African ecosystem that honours our heritage while driving innovation, economic growth, and cultural pride.”
About Tikera Africa
Tikera Africa is a Culture, Creative, and Media Industry (CCMI) enabler dedicated to advancing Africa’s creative and cultural ecosystem while empowering talents to flourish. Through innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive programming, Tikera Africa promotes cultural heritage, fosters socio-economic development, and positions African creatives for global success.
Signed
Sandra N-Samuel
Media and Strategic Communications,
Office of The Honourable Minister,
Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy ✨