The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has entered a strategic partnership with Ananse Internet Group to establish a national network of design and innovation hubs that will empower Nigeria's growing creative sector.
The five-year collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and will commence with the launch of the Ananse Centre for Design, set to open in Lagos in the second half of 2025. The Lagos centre will serve as a pilot for future hubs to be rolled out across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.
According to a statement released by the ministry on Wednesday, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and is aimed at driving economic diversification, job creation, and youth empowerment. The hubs will focus on the fashion, leather, and digital storytelling industries—sectors identified as key growth areas in Nigeria's creative economy.
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Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the partnership as a critical step toward integrating creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship for national development.
"This partnership with Ananse is a strategic move that embodies the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda," Musawa said. "It is about investing in our creative talent and giving them the tools to thrive, compete globally, and contribute meaningfully to the economy."
Under the agreement, the ministry will provide policy guidance, infrastructure, and funding support, while Ananse will offer technical expertise, digital platforms, and training modules to operate the hubs. The centres will specifically target young creatives and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with a strong emphasis on women- and youth-led businesses.
The initiative aims to train and support more than 5,000 individuals over the next five years in areas such as fashion design, leatherwork, entrepreneurship, and digital commerce. In addition, both partners plan to conduct joint research and data collection to inform policy decisions that will improve the growth, regulation, and sustainability of Nigeria's creative industries.
The Ananse Centres are expected to become vital engines for innovation and inclusive economic growth, offering creatives across Nigeria access to modern tools, mentorship, and market opportunities.
