From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The President-Elect of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been urged to ensure that his administration increases the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Information and Culture in the 2024 Appropriation Act, which is expected to cascade down to the creative industry with a view to achieving optimal performance of the nation’s creative industry.
A member of House of Representatives, Hon Shina Peller, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency of Oyo State, made the call in a video clip shared on his social media platform, to draw attention to a motion he moved on the floor of the House in respect of Nigeria’s creative industry.
“As Nigeria transits into a new government, I urge the incoming administration to increase the budgetary allocation of the Ministry of Information and Culture in the 2024 Appropriation Act for optimal performance in the nation’s creative industry.
“This is an industry that contributes significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), offering legitimate employment to people, thereby making it the second largest employer of labour after agriculture.
“To move this sector forward, we need young and vibrant youths to churn out policy reforms that can drive growth and development and attract investment opportunities,” he said.
Nigeria’s film sector (Nollywood), he explained, is one of the most lucrative and active creative industries, which contributes about two per cent to the country’s GDP, generating annual revenue of N208billion. He added that Nigerian music sector, which produces over 550 albums annually, must be strengthened to aid the country’s economic growth.
In the motion, he had listed the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy), David Adedeji Adeleke (Davido) and others as major actors in the Nigerian music industry, who made and are making the country proud globally with their record-breaking feats.