FG leveraging opportunities in creative industry to grow economy, says Musawa

…As over 3,156 films listed for 2025 Zuma Int’l film festival

By Chris Ochayi

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to growing the economy and developing the country by leveraging opportunities in Nigeria’s creative and film industries.

The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa stated this at a press conference announcing the 2025 Zuma International Film Festival (ZIFF) in Abuja.

The festival, now in its 15th edition, is scheduled to take place from December 1st to 5th, 2025, in Abuja. The theme for this year’s event is “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as A Soft Power and Economic Force.”

According to Musawa, the festival aims to harness the potential of the film sector for national development and promote Nigeria’s creative industry globally.

She commended the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) for its consistent efforts in organizing this world-class event.

According to her, “As Nigeria continues to exert positive global creative economic influence through her vibrant contributions of incredibly creative,
innovative and citizens, we have found ourselves on the threshold of
having to sustainably, push further, not just narratives and conversations, but actions, programmes and projects that deeply express our vision, mission and affirm commitments as a nation, desirous of growing our economy and developing our country.

“From the present federal government administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, governments support towards the development of Nigeria’s creative and film industries has been unwaveringly evident.

“Under his leadership, the film production and audio-visual sector has
maintained a steady leap as a critical co-driver of Nigeria’s creative economic growth, youth empowerment, and global brand for investments.

“Nigeria’s film industry, widely known as Nollywood, remains an asset that that reflects the richness of our cultural heritage. Its impact
continues to resonate impressively across the country and beyond.

“This explains our deep commitments and resolves, through the
sustenance, including the introduction and implementation of
innovative short, long and medium term investment interventions,
collaborations and partnerships by my ministry.

The support of the Ministry for her Agency programmes and projects remain unwaveringly strong. Together, we achieve more and go far,
in our shared vision of not only promoting our cultural heritage, but
also in preserving them, in furtherance of a greater Nigeria creative
economy that continues to create employment, wealth sustainably.

“This further explains the critical intervention and innovative projects
such as IDICE, CLAP, CEDF and other memorandum of understating,
intentional and sustained offshore engagements, that enables the
achievement of sectoral development and growth seamless
.
“As Nigeria’s film industry remains key in shaping the trajectory of our
development as Africa’s largest creative economy, it behoves on us all
to partner and support initiatives such as the Zuma International Film
Festival, which has the trappings of harnessing the great potentials of
the film sector for national development.”

Speaking earlier, the ‎Managing Director / Chief Executive ‎of the
Nigerian Film Corporation, NFC, Dr. Ali Nuhu recalled that since its debut in 1993, the Zuma International Film Festival has become a living symbol of our creative pride, a celebration of the stories that define us, the filmmakers wyho give them life, and the audiences who carry them forward.

He said at the Nigerian Film Corporation, “We have never seen film as mere entertainment. We see it as memory, as history, as soft power, a tool that can shape how the world sees us and how we see ourselves.”

Dr. Nuhu noted that, “Across the world, film festivals are where culture meets opportunity. They are where ideas turn into partnerships, and where nations showcase their best to the global stage. ZUMA has steadily grown into that kind of platform. One that unites art with enterprise, storytelling with nation-building, and creativity with economic growth.

“This year’s theme, “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force,” speaks directly to this mission.

“We chose it as a statement of truth because Nigeria’s stories have travelled far. From cinemas in Lagos to festivals in Berlin, Toronto, and Cairo.

“Our films have opened doors, challenged stereotypes, and proven that Africa’s creative strength is no longer a whisper, it is a roar.”

He stressed further that, “Through storytelling, we influence culture. Through film, we build understanding. And through our industry, we drive one of the most vibrant creative economies on the continent.

“The response to this year’s call for entries has been nothing short of remarkable. Over 3,156 films have been submitted from Nigeria, India, France, China, South Africa, Egypt, the United States, Spain, Germany, Tunisia, Iran, and many others.

“These include feature films, documentaries, short films, student projects, indigenous language works, animations, music videos, and even skits. That level of participation tells one story that Zuma has become a global home for storytellers.”