The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the Creative & Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTICo) and the Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP), two initiatives introduced by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy under Minister Hannatu Musawa. These programmes are intended to support the growth of Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries through infrastructure development, funding access, and training.

CTICo: A Public-Private Infrastructure Initiative

The Creative & Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTICo) is structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) aimed at building and financing infrastructure for the film, music, fashion, arts, and tourism industries. The government has announced that CTICo will be registered as a limited liability company, with the state maintaining a 25-49% minority stake, while the private sector is expected to drive its operations.

According to Minister Musawa, the initiative is expected to address persistent challenges such as a lack of infrastructure and limited investment in the sector. One of the announced goals is to facilitate the development of large-scale film studios, expand cinema networks, and restore tourism sites such as Obudu Resort and Yankari Game Reserve. The ministry has also stated that 5,000 new cinema screens will be developed under the initiative.

CTICo is set to be funded through partnerships with international finance institutions, global organisations, and private investors, though specific agreements or financial commitments have not yet been detailed.

CLAP: Training and Funding for Creatives

Alongside CTICo, the Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP) has been introduced as a digital ecosystem for training and financial support in the film, music, fashion, and digital content industries. The government has stated that CLAP will provide structured mentorship and funding opportunities, with a focus on developing skills that can be marketed internationally.

CLAP is expected to offer direct funding opportunities to creative professionals, though the specific structure for these grants or loans has not been disclosed. It is also projected to establish 600 creative hubs nationwide, though no timeline has been provided for their rollout.

The ministry has also indicated that CLAP will facilitate international partnerships by connecting Nigerian creatives with foreign investors and industry stakeholders. However, further details on how these connections will be facilitated remain unclear.

The government has stated that CTICo’s governance model will be based on existing public-private partnerships such as NIBSS and NLNG, with an independent management structure. While the government has positioned the initiative as private sector-driven, the extent of public sector oversight or involvement in decision-making remains to be clarified.