President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has merged the Federal Ministry of Tourism with Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
The decision to merge the two newly created ministries was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2024.
The decision to merge the two newly created ministries was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2024.
Two other ministries were scapped by FEC; they are the Federal Ministry of the Niger Delta and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.
According to a press release by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, “there will now be a ministry of regional development to oversee all the regional development commissions, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission.”
The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy were new ministries created by the president when he unveiled his cabinet.
The new development has thrown the industry into a state of confusion as stakeholders in tourism and culture are surprised by the new merger.
According to the National Coordinator of Welcome2Nigeria Project, Isa Sago, he said that though the president’s wisdom in making the decision and the information at his disposal that informed his action cannot be questioned or faulted. And that, however, each ministry operating independently increases the chances of rapid growth, collective participation, and inclusiveness in deepening development and growth in both sectors. He said that the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade John’s coming rekiddled assurances and guaranteed the rapid transormation of the sector. And that having understood the ministry and concluded on her strategic approach to take tourism to the next heights, she stands a good chance to deliver if given the opportunity.
He added that Hannatu Musawa’s brilliant ideas and enthusiasm are the reason the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy has accomplished so much in such a short period of time. Additionally, depending on who is in charge, both ministries can operate as departments under a single roof and still achieve great things. Â
Manaseh John Audu, the convener of CreativeArtWacth, said the merger could result in a setback for the creative sector considering the fact that should Hannatu Musawa not get reappointed as a senior or state ministerial level or not at all, the sector would experience a shock that could lead to a severe loss of hope and expectations from the private sector. He opined that Musawa brought fresh energy, new ideas, and a forward-looking approach to the art, culture, and creative sectors.
