The Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the creative industry has the potential to create an additional 2.7 million jobs by 2025.
Speaking while declaring open the public hearing on the Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of National Institute for Film and Media Technology, Ukawu, in Abuja yesterday, he claimed that the sector is Nigeria’s second-largest employer of Labour.

    Represented by Amos Magaji, he further stated that the creative economy worldwide contributes over 6.1 per cent to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), averaging between two per cent and seven per cent of national GDPs.

    Abbas said the bill, sponsored by Mr Nkem Kama, representing Ohanivo Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, was in line with their legislative agenda, re-affirming their commitment to reforming and modernising the technical education system to equip students with relevant skills to thrive in today’s economy.

    He said that the skills to be acquired from the proposed institute would enable the students to contribute effectively to Nigeria’s economic growth. Abbas reiterated the determination of the House to ensure that emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics and renewable energy, are mainstreamed into the curriculum of technical and vocational education in Nigeria.

    He re-echoed the need for them not to fail the younger generation with required skills, calling for the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the training process.

MEANWHILE, the Plateau State Government has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Chocolate City Group to establish a creative industry incubator and radio station in Jos. The agreement was signed during a ceremony at the Government House in Jos recently, according to a statement.

    The event drew key government officials, including Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality, Cornelius Doeyok; Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Dongkum Grace Shwarta, and Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Sylvanus Dongtoe, representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

  The Chocolate City was represented by the Chairman, Audu Maikori, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abuchi Peter Ugwu. While meeting with the Chocolate City team earlier, Mutfwang emphasised his administration’s commitment to leveraging partnerships that will develop the creative ecosystem in Plateau State.