The Federal Government is positioning the country’s carnival industry to tap from the global carnival market, estimated at five billion dollars.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima said this at a meeting with a delegation from the Abuja International Carnival, at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
“The value of the global carnival market is estimated at five billion dollars. This underscores its potential to assist us in our economic growth agenda.
“Beyond promoting our rich cultural heritage, it is a driver for national unity and cohesion. We also have to look at the potential for economic value addition.”
He pointed to the success of major carnival events around the world such as the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, which he said, attracts as many as 200 million visitors annually, and the Calabar Carnival which promotes Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
He also highlighted the government’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) project, a 618 million dollars initiative, aimed at supporting the digital and creative industries, including the carnival sector.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja International Carnival, Kehinde Adegbite, commended the vice president’s support and outlined partnership plans to revitalise the carnival.
“We met with the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who is creative-driven and agreed that we partner with the ministry for the project.
“The carnival brings unity, empowers the youths, and helps discover talents.”
