Lawmaker to Tinubu: boost funding for the creative sector

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president-elect, has been urged to see to it that his administration increases the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Information and Culture in the 2024 Appropriation Act. I anticipated that this increase would trickle down to the creative industry in order to ensure the best possible performance of the country’s creative industry.

Hon. Shina Peller, a member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State’s Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, made the plea in a video clip that he posted on social media in reference to a resolution he presented on the House floor in support of Nigeria’s creative sector.

He stated, “As Nigeria moves toward a new administration, I implore the next administration to boost the financial allocation of the Ministry of Information and Culture in the 2024 Appropriation Act for optimal performance in the country’s creative economy.

The second largest employer of labor after agriculture, this industry makes a substantial contribution to the GDP of the country by providing lawful work for people.

We require young, energetic adolescents to produce policy changes that can spur growth, development, and investment possibilities if we are to advance this area.

According to him, Nigeria’s film industry (Nollywood). is one of the most profitable and active creative sectors, contributing roughly 2% of the nation’s GDP and bringing in N208 billion annually. In order to support the nation’s economic prosperity, he said, the Nigerian music industry, which creates more than 550 albums each year, must be reinforced.

In the motion, he mentioned notable figures from the Nigerian music business who have made and continue to make the nation proud across the world, including the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy), David Adedeji Adeleke (Davido), and others.

“At the global level, the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-kuti is perhaps the most iconic musician to have come out of Nigeria until recently,” the motion read in part. “Damini Ebunolowa Ogulu (Burna Boy), a Nigerian singer and songwriter, won best international Act at the 2019 BET Awards and was nominated for the best world music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. At the 2021 BET Awards, he was also named Best International Act.

Over 10 million user-made Spotify playlists recently included top Nigerian artist Davido’s album “Timeless.” Additionally, the album received over 12 million streams in only 24 hours, which is an album-first accomplishment.

Peller, the Ayedero of Yorubaland, is a significant figure in the arts. Aquila Records, a music record label that had released several successes even before he entered politics, was founded and owned by him in addition to being the creator and CEO of the renowned nightclub, Club Quilox.

Ayepo by Airboy featuring Burnaboy, Slow Whyne by Que Peller, Werey Re Rmx by Base One featuring Phyno and Olamide, Believe by Naomi Peller, Capable by Beezy, and Oni Reason by Tillaman starring Davido are just a few of the songs that have become blockbusters.

Therefore, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is urged to strengthen the industry by providing it with support in the areas of access to finance, skills and capacity development, infrastructure, intellectual property protection, royal control, development of creative clusters, and international strategy, among others, by Honourable Peller, a major stakeholder in the creative industry who publicly congratulated him on his election victory as the country’s President-elect on March 1, 2023.

Honorable Peller has always been a proponent, sponsor, and supporter of initiatives led by young people. Remember that he has successfully taught more than 1,700 young Nigerians in effective leadership, strategic communication, civic duty, active citizenship, and nation-building through his non-profit organization, Lead Generation Initiative (LGI). Through the train-the-trainer methodology, the 1700 beneficiaries have in turn trained over a thousand others.