The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, over the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy. The Senate Committee on Art, Culture, and Creative Economy issued the urgent invitation on Thursday following the ministry’s budget defense session.
Bagudu has been directed to appear before the committee on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
The invitation was issued after the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, defended her ministry’s 2025 budget proposal. Lawmakers expressed outrage over the ministry’s N4 billion allocation, arguing that it is grossly inadequate for a sector with the potential to generate billions in revenue.
Senator Osita Izunaso, who moved the motion to summon Bagudu, described the allocation as appalling. He emphasized that a country with the world’s second-largest entertainment industry should adequately fund the sector to maximize its economic potential.
Supporting the motion, Senator Aniekan Etim Bassey questioned why the ministry’s budget had been reduced from N6 billion in 2024 to N4 billion in 2025, despite the fact that it now oversees two merged ministries.
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During her presentation, Minister Musawa stated that the creative economy has the potential to contribute over N100 billion to the national treasury by 2030. However, she stressed that achieving this goal depends on the government’s commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure for the industry’s growth.
With overwhelming support from committee members, Chairman Senator Mohammed Onawo Ogoshi ruled in favor of the motion, declaring:
“A motion has been moved and seconded. Therefore, this Senate committee hereby invites the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning for further deliberations on the budget of the Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.”
