After 37 years, FG reviews national cultural policy with UNESCO, NESG support

The Federal Government is finalising a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s National Policy on Culture, 37 years after its last revision, in a collaborative effort with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACTCE), under the leadership of Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has initiated the review process to modernise the country’s cultural policy and align it with international standards and the evolving dynamics of the global creative economy.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Press at the ministry, Chindaya Ahmadu, the review reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s cultural sector. The policy, which was last revised in 1988, had remained in draft form for decades despite the rapid transformation in the cultural and creative industries.

The Cultural Policy Drafting Committee, inaugurated by the Minister in July 2024, comprises over 100 experts organised into thematic sub-groups to research and draft the new policy. The virtual drafting stage was concluded in December 2024, while the current physical drafting session, holding from March 20 to 24, 2025, in Abuja, marks the final stage of consolidation before the policy is submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy at the ministry, Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, stressed the significance of the exercise in repositioning Nigeria’s cultural framework. “The National Policy on Culture serves as a legal framework guiding the preservation, promotion, and development of Nigeria’s cultural heritage,” she said, adding that the revised policy would reflect contemporary trends and the shift from a creative industry to a creative economy. “With this exercise, we are solidifying a roadmap that will strengthen Nigeria’s identity on the global stage.”

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Facilitator at NESG, Ikenna Nwosu, described the review as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s cultural history, noting that such a policy ought to be reviewed every 5 to 10 years. “For 37 years, this policy remained unchanged despite the rapid transformation of the cultural and creative sectors,” he said.

“The industry has moved far ahead of governance, and this exercise is an essential step in ensuring that policies catch up with the sector’s economic potential. The Honourable Minister’s leadership in driving this review is commendable, as it will reposition our cultural sector as a key contributor to Nigeria’s GDP.”

UNESCO Representative, Ifeanyi Ajaegbo, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the review process, noting that the policy is being updated in line with UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. “Our partnership with the Ministry ensures that the policy aligns with international standards and establishes a more structured, participatory, and transparent cultural governance system in Nigeria,” he said.

The review process has also benefited significantly from the Ministry’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NESG, signed in 2024. The partnership has facilitated technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, and research support to ensure the new policy is robust and inclusive.

UNESCO has also played a critical role by training ministry staff and NESG representatives and providing expert guidance through workshops, aimed at aligning the revised policy with global best practices while preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

The final policy is expected to provide a renewed legal and strategic framework that will support the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy and ensure the preservation and promotion of its cultural legacy.

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