PRESS RELEASE

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy is proud to celebrate a defining moment in Nigeria’s creative journey. Our country’s vibrant film industry recently took centre stage with its historic debut at the Cannes Film Festival, featured prominently in a special five-minute report on CNN’s Marketplace Africa.

This milestone marks the first time a Nigerian production, My Father’s Shadow, was officially selected at Cannes. More than a cinematic triumph, it represents a major leap forward for Nigeria’s creative ecosystem and our shared mission to showcase authentic African narratives on the world stage.

In her remarks during the CNN interview, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa Esq., highlighted the Ministry’s long-term vision to transform culture and creativity into powerful tools for economic growth.

“We’re trying to leverage our culture, our content, and our creativity to drive economic growth and expansion in Nigeria. Our goal is to contribute at least 100 billion dollars to GDP by 2030, and I believe not only will we reach that number, we will surpass it. At the same time, we are implementing a job creation strategy to deliver at least two million jobs by 2030,” the Honourable Minister said.

The CNN feature also spotlighted the Ministry’s flagship initiative, Screen Nigeria, which is building a comprehensive framework to support local creatives. From establishing infrastructure and funding platforms to tackling piracy and reforming distribution systems, the initiative aims to strengthen the Nigerian film industry at its core. These efforts are not only attracting international productions to Nigeria but also nurturing the next generation of homegrown storytellers.

The feature also cited UNESCO estimates that piracy wipes out nearly 50 percent of the industry’s revenue across Africa. Through Screen Nigeria’s reform plans, the government is taking bold steps to protect intellectual property, elevate local content, and restore value to creators and investors.

Adding his voice to the feature, Prince Baba Agba, the Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Creativity in the Office of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, spoke passionately about the deeper cultural significance of Nigeria’s storytelling potential.

“We want to show people who we are, what we are, how we live, and let them be able to connect with us. My father showed us a prime example of what can happen when you have these types of international conversations. The time is now.”

“Everyone needs to put their hands on deck. Our dashboard is massive. And so are the biggest stars in the world across film and television, not just on-screen but off-screen, in executive roles — and they are Nigerian. You’ve seen what music is doing. Trust me, film is going to hit harder,” he added.

This global spotlight reinforces Nigeria’s bold ambition to become a creative powerhouse where stories rooted in identity, history, and innovation resonate across borders and generations. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which prioritises job creation, youth empowerment, and the elevation of culture as a strategic driver of national development.

Through initiatives like Screen Nigeria, the Honourable Minister and her team remain steadfast in their commitment to nurturing local talent, forging international partnerships, and expanding the frontiers of Nigeria’s cultural economy.

As we celebrate this extraordinary moment on the world stage, the Ministry reaffirms its dedication to ensuring that Nigeria’s creative industries continue to thrive, inspire, and proudly represent who we are.

Signed:

Sandra Njoku-Samuel
Media Strategist to the Honourable Minister on Media and Communications
Office of the Honourable Minister
Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy