U.S. govt rolls out programmes to boost Nigeria’s creative economy

The United States government has expressed readiness to collaborate with Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy to roll out initiatives that will enhance creativity in music and television script writing.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield made this known when she paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy Hannatu Musa Musawa in Abuja on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Satterfield said the U.S. government will use public diplomacy platforms, including people-to-people diplomacy, to revolutionise the growing opportunities in the music, art, and literary fields.

She said: “So in addition to the robust programmes we already do in the culture space, we have announced three new initiatives.

“One is for television production, to bring Nigerian TV production directors to the University of Southern California to work directly with American executive producers and directors, to help them create the shows, and to be mentored and use the American network to help bolster that sector.

U.S. to include 4 Nigerian students in film community college programme

“Secondly, with the Recording Academy, we announced a music program where the Recording Academy will find American mentors who are members of the Recording Academy to bring Africans from the continent.

“I think five of the participants out of 20 will be Nigerians. This is to bolster the music industry, not just musicians, but those who want to be in the business. It is exactly what you’re talking about, wanting to be in the business so we can pair them with Americans to talk about best practices and how to go into the field of music.

“We want to really create this ecosystem in the music space with these recording academy members. Secretary Blinken announced that the programme will take place in October of this year. So we are really excited.”

On her part, Musawa cited intellectual property securitisation on copyright, lack of infrastructure, and the need to industrialise the sector as key grey areas that yearn for collaborations and investment to bring value into the country.

The minister said: “Infrastructure is key. Part of our road map and strategy is to build the Abuja Creative City, which is going to be a one-stop shop for everything creative.

“In addition to the creative city, we are willing to work with different governments, organisations and institutions to see how we can bring value both ways and monetise the sector.

“So in a nutshell, we are looking at three key pillars: Cultural expansion, Economic expansion, and job creation.”

The Star