The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has entered into a new partnership with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to establish a National Arts, Cultural, Creative, Tourism and Sports Innovation Hub within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium precinct in Abuja.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday in Abuja and is expected to drive youth empowerment, national development, and global visibility for Nigeria’s creative, cultural, and sports sectors.
According to the agreement, the Innovation Hub will host several key facilities. These include a National Museum of Arts and Culture, an Entertainment Arena and Performance Centre, a Youth Creative and Entrepreneurship Centre, Eco-Villas and Eco-Lodges, a Family Recreational Park, Cultural Lounges and Marketplaces, a Mounted Games Arena, and a Sports Heritage Pavilion.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, expressed gratitude for the collaboration. She acknowledged the contributions of NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, to sports development in Nigeria.
“Since Mallam Shehu Dikko came on board, we’ve had back-to-back wins in sports. Thank you for coming to this office to discuss how we can open a partnership. For young Nigerians, one of the things the President has always focused on is building a better future for Nigeria, and the best way to do that is to diversify in the areas of sports and the creative industry,” she said.
She further highlighted the importance of the creative sector, pointing out that Nigeria’s cultural assets are gaining global recognition. “The creative industry is also having a great moment, and Nigeria is known for its cultural assets. Partnering with the sports industry through this MOU will bring new focus and ideas. This partnership has the power to empower the young generation, teach them about our culture, and provide capacity building. If this can be replicated in every state, it will speak to a new dawn, especially in Abuja, and will have a positive impact on the economy, job creation, and insecurity. The ecosystem we are building with the museum structure, tourism sector, and creative industry will be beneficial for Nigerians. I appreciate the President’s vision and mission, and I’m excited to be part of this journey,” Musawa added.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He explained that the partnership will help revamp sports facilities and expand opportunities for young people and professionals.
“We need to invest and revamp our sports facilities to have around 4,000 activities around the clock. This project will showcase our history, sports, and culture, and we are committed to its success. We will turn the stadium into a sports city, leveraging existing structures to build value for creatives. I assure you of my team’s diligence to provide all the support needed to succeed in this project,” he said.
The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy and the National Sports Commission will serve as a platform for inter-agency coordination and public-private partnerships.
It is expected to promote integrated strategies that link sports with arts, culture, tourism, and the wider creative economy, while also encouraging public-private dialogue and multilateral stakeholder engagement.
The project will operate under a Public-Private Partnership framework, with both institutions providing institutional support to secure government approvals and ensure alignment with national goals.