He suggests that the creative industry requires governmental support and structure.
Nigerian comedian Ali Baba has urged the government to increase its support for the creative industry.
The comedian made a guest appearance on the latest episode of the Sunrise Show on Channels Television, discussing the Nigerian creative industry. He emphasized that the industry is not as valued by the government as it should be and therefore requires further development.
He said in part;
“The creative industry is the second largest employer of labour after agriculture where you have farmers and all that. Then the next largest employer of labour of youths especially in Nigeria is the creative industry. You see, governments over time have failed to realise that this large industry needs development, needs support and needs structure.”
The comedian described how the creative industry in Nigeria has been neglected and marginalized in discussions about the country’s economy, emphasizing the 2022 Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
“Two years ago, a forecast of the Nigerian economy in the next five years was looked into by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the entertainment and creative industry was not considered. Booklet of about 200 pages was done and the creative industry was not considered. The value of the creative industry in Nigeria is beyond the country,” he explained.
Ali Baba highlighted the significance of the creative industry, pointing out that renowned musicians like Burna Boy have contributed more to its recognition than the government.
He said, “Burna Boy has done a lot more for the Nigerian national awareness than any ambassador that have been posted to America, the UK or any other place. So Nigerian artists are creating national awareness and making other countries to know about us than any ambassador would have done.”
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