Senate Decries Low Allocations To Creative Economy Ministry
….Summons Minister of Budget & Economy Planning
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) Irked by the insignificant and extremely low budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy in the 2025 budget, the Senate Committee on Art, Culture and Creative Economy under the Chairmanship of Senator Anawo Ogoshi wondered if Nigerian government was ready for the nation’s development.
This, was the agitations of the lawmakers considering the fact that the ministry has the potential to rake in billions of naira into the nation’s coffer if properly funded under a conducive environment.
However, the committee resolved through a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey to summon the Minister of Budget as well as his counterpart in Finance to appear before the committee on Friday, January 24, by 10 AM.
This, according to the committee to explain how they arrived at the figures allocated to the Ministry despite that it’s a-two-in-one ministry.
Senator Izunaso noted that it’s appalling for only four billion naira to be allocated to the nation’s creative economy ministry.
Senator Izunaso stressed that a ministry with the second largest entertainment industry in the world must be given support and proper funding for it to contribute immensely to the nation’s internally generated revenue.
Earlier, the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa who appeared before the committee for the 2025 budget defence had earlier intimated the committee that the ministry is looking forward to contributing over 100 billion naira to the nation’s coffer by 2030. But she noted that this can only be achieved if the right infrastructures are put in place for art, culture and entertainment to thrive in the country.
“A motion has been moved and seconded, therefore this Senate committee hereby invite the Minister of Budget and Economy Planning for further interaction on the budget of the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, on Friday 24th January, 2025 by 10:00 am “ the committee chairman, Ogoshi ruled.
