Musawa Praises Tikera Africa’s ‘The Village’ Launch for Driving Cultural and Creative Growth

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has praised the launch of Tikera Africa’s The Village in Abuja, describing it as a landmark step in boosting Nigeria’s creative economy, empowering artisans, and safeguarding cultural heritage.

Speaking at the high-profile unveiling on August 12, Musawa said the initiative aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, youth empowerment, cultural diplomacy, and economic diversification.

“This initiative does not merely teach weaving, it transforms lives,” she said. “It preserves our heritage while giving women the tools to achieve economic independence. Our artisan communities are not relics of the past, they are living custodians of innovation and identity.”

A Vision for an Inclusive Creative Future

Founded by internationally acclaimed photographer and creative entrepreneur Bayo Omoboriowo, Tikera Africa is a Culture, Creative, and Media Industry (CCMI) enabler dedicated to building sustainable ecosystems through innovation, infrastructure, education, and policy advocacy.

The launch showcased a new women-led artisan empowerment programme, created in partnership with the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim. The programme will help underserved women turn traditional crafts like weaving into viable businesses, offering skills training, mentorship, and access to enterprise hubs.

Musawa also highlighted the Ministry’s successful partnership with Tikera Africa through the Reimagining Hope Residency, which has brought together Nigerian artists whose works blend heritage and contemporary expression. Many of these works are now part of the National Art Collection and displayed in government institutions and embassies globally.

From MADhouse to The Village

The Village builds on Tikera Africa’s MADhouse, established in 2023 at the University of Lagos, which has hosted dignitaries including Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and former President of Mauritius Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.

The hub will offer cultural exchange, creative incubation, and enterprise development through flagship programmes such as:

Afri’talent Project – in partnership with the African Union and GIZ.

Lens-based Incubation Programme – featuring a $10,000 seed fund for emerging creatives.

Creative Leap Accelerator Programme (CLAP) – focused on entrepreneurial skills and global market readiness.

Reimagining Hope Residency – in collaboration with the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.

“These initiatives are building a generation of African creatives who are not just dreamers, but builders, job creators, and global ambassadors of our culture,” Musawa stated.

A Call for Collaboration

The Minister urged greater cooperation between government, the private sector, academia, and civil society to unlock the creative industry’s full potential.

“Tikera Africa’s vision mirrors our national mission, to create an enabling environment where creativity, education, and enterprise work hand in hand to transform lives,” she said. “Together, we can reimagine an African ecosystem that honours our heritage while driving innovation, economic growth, and cultural pride.”