Creative economy key to unlocking Katsina’s climate resilience — Musawa

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, on Wednesday emphasised the critical role of the creative economy in addressing climate challenges and unlocking development opportunities in Katsina State.

Speaking at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit held in Abuja, Barrister Musawa highlighted the state’s unique climate-related challenges—including desertification, water scarcity, and unpredictable rainfall—which threaten agriculture, livelihoods, and food security.

She stated that by embracing creativity and innovation—particularly through the power of the creative economy—Katsina State can unlock new pathways to sustainable development, job creation, and social progress.

The Minister outlined ways in which the creative economy can contribute to climate solutions, including raising awareness through art and media, developing sustainable fashion and textiles, promoting renewable energy solutions, and advancing eco-tourism and cultural heritage tourism.

“The creative economy has the potential to be a powerful force in addressing some of our most pressing environmental issues. One of the key roles of the creative industries is to educate and raise awareness.

“The power of storytelling, film, music, and visual arts can play a transformative role in communicating the urgency of climate action. Through documentaries, songs, performances, and visual art, we can engage communities, inform them about the risks posed by climate change, and inspire them to take action,” she said.

Noting that the development of sustainable fashion and textiles using eco-friendly materials and practices can reduce environmental degradation, she recommended leveraging eco-tourism and cultural heritage tourism to preserve natural resources and promote local culture.

“We can use our local textiles to create a fashion industry that not only celebrates our cultural identity but also helps combat climate change by reducing its environmental footprint.

“By investing in training and innovation in the fashion sector, we can create jobs for our youth—particularly women—and position Katsina as a leader in sustainable fashion in the country.”

She called for strong partnerships between government, the private sector, NGOs, and local communities to implement solutions. She urged all stakeholders to take up the challenge of climate change with creativity and passion, working together to build a sustainable future for Katsina State.

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Addressing the Climate Action and Green Investment Summit, Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State highlighted the state’s climate challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the need for collective action to transform these challenges into development opportunities.

While showcasing Katsina’s achievements in climate action—including irrigation projects, solar-powered boreholes, and tree-planting initiatives—he also unveiled the Katsina State Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA), a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable development. The agenda focuses on four pillars: Climate-Smart Agriculture, Renewable Energy Leadership, Ecosystem Restoration, and Green Industrialization.

The Governor called for collaborative partnerships with investors, development partners, and communities to achieve KAGGA’s ambitious goals. These include planting 10 million trees, establishing climate-resilient farming cooperatives, and promoting green industries. He emphasized the potential for job creation, economic growth, and a sustainable future for Katsina State.

“KAGGA is a roadmap to harmonize economic progress with ecological preservation. Through Climate Action Cooperatives, our administration will annually train 15,000 women and youth in green skills. From solar engineering to sustainable forestry, we will ensure no one is left behind. The green economy could create over 50,000 jobs in Katsina by 2030, and we are determined that our young people will be prepared to fill them,” the governor stated.