Nigeria’s creative industry has scored a historic global breakthrough, as the country celebrated its first-ever official selection at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and earned a special spotlight on CNN’s Marketplace Africa.
The developments signal a new era for Nigeria’s burgeoning film sector and wider creative economy.
The selected film, My Father’s Shadow, marked Nigeria’s debut on the Cannes official slate, capturing international attention and sparking global conversations about African storytelling. The milestone, celebrated in a five-minute CNN feature, was praised as a transformative moment by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
Speaking during the CNN report, the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa Esq., outlined the Ministry’s ambitious vision to leverage culture and creativity as economic engines, aiming to contribute $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP and create at least two million jobs by 2030.
“We’re trying to leverage our culture, our content, and our creativity to drive economic growth and expansion in Nigeria,” the Minister stated. “Not only will we reach that number — we will surpass it.”
The CNN feature also explored the Ministry’s flagship programme, Screen Nigeria, designed to transform the structural foundations of the film industry. From infrastructure development and access to finance, to intellectual property protection and distribution reforms, the initiative is poised to make Nigeria a hub for local and international film productions.
According to UNESCO figures cited in the report, piracy erodes nearly half of the film industry’s revenue across Africa. In response, Screen Nigeria is implementing bold policy reforms to safeguard creators and restore investor confidence.
Prince Baba Agba, Special Assistant to the President on Creativity, emphasized the cultural urgency and the global opportunity at hand.
“We want to show people who we are, what we are, how we live, and let them connect with us,” he said. “The time is now. Everyone needs to put their hands on deck… Film is going to hit harder.”
He noted that Nigerians are already excelling globally in both on-screen and behind-the-scenes roles in the creative space — a trend now being matched by local policy action.
This global spotlight dovetails with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places a premium on youth empowerment, job creation, and cultural revitalization as pathways to sustainable development.
The Honourable Minister reiterated her team’s unwavering commitment to supporting homegrown talent, cultivating international partnerships, and ensuring Nigeria’s stories resonate far beyond its borders.
“As we celebrate this extraordinary moment, we reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that Nigeria’s creative industries continue to thrive, inspire, and proudly represent who we are,” she said.
The moment represents more than global recognition — it is a rallying call for national pride, policy innovation, and strategic investment in Nigeria’s cultural identity and economic future
