Reps urge FG to strengthen creative industry for economic boost

The House of Representatives has appealed to the Federal Government to initiate, and implement specific policies that would strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s creative industry to generate revenue.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Shina Peller, at plenary, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Peller, while moving the motion, described the creative industry as a veritable incremental source of employment.

He noted that the government can strengthen the industry as a way to diversify the economy, and reduce its reliance on oil revenue.

He added that with the necessary support, the industry can engender economic growth, drive employment, innovation, including social cohesion.

Peller said: “Data tend to support this view. In a study that covered 11 creative industries sectors across five regions of the world, it was estimated that in 2013, the creative industries contributed $2.3 billion to the global GDP and employed over 29 million people worldwide.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics (2016), Nigeria’s GDP in 2015 amounted to N94 trillion. Analysis of the data from the report indicates that the creative industries jointly contributed about N5 trillion to broadcasting (29.6%) and motion pictures, sound recording, and music (22.8%).

“Nigeria’s film sector (Nollywood) is one of the active creative industries regarded as a major force in the country’s economic growth and the strongest claim to global influence within the creative industries which contributes about 2% to the country’s GDP, generates annual revenue of N208 billion and offers legitimate employment to over one million people making the sector the second largest employer after agriculture.”