ABUJA, June 13 (AGCNewsNet) – Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has called for the integration of tourism, creative, and cultural industries into the national educational curriculum, describing it as a strategic move to unlock the country’s economic potential.

Speaking at the thematic conference on “Boosting Social Impact and Education in Tourism Through Innovation, AI, and Creative Industries in Africa,” Musawa said education plays a pivotal role in nurturing the tourism and creative sectors, particularly when included early in school systems. She suggested that embedding cultural and tourism studies into the Justice School curriculum would foster appreciation for heritage and create opportunities for youth to explore careers in the creative sector.

Musawa explained that cultural awareness among young Nigerians would promote the preservation of the country’s rich traditions while boosting tourism and economic development. She also noted that hospitality is a core element of Nigerian identity and should be preserved, along with other traditional values like respect for elders, even as society adapts to modern trends.

The minister highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping the tourism industry but warned that technological innovation must not compromise the authenticity of Nigeria’s creative outputs. She stressed the need for regulation to ensure AI complements rather than diminishes cultural heritage.

She cited the Creative Economy Development Fund as an example of government-backed initiatives aimed at empowering small and medium-scale enterprises in the sector and fostering stronger collaboration among government, private stakeholders, and cultural institutions.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, who also spoke at the event, said Africa remains widely misunderstood by the global community and emphasized the role of tourism in promoting peace and understanding. He praised Nigeria’s cultural diversity, with over 230 languages and distinct traditions, as a major asset in global tourism.

Pololikashvili noted that African youth possess immense talent but require access to resources like digital tools, books, and internet connectivity to fully develop their skills. He emphasized that tourism requires patience, commitment, and long-term investment, adding that a 10-point action plan has been developed to transform the continent’s tourism sector through education, innovation, and creative industries.

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