Light Nwobodo
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, select governors and Ministers of Defence and Budget and Planning, Gen. Christopher Musa and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, respectively, are set to play prominent roles at the 3rd Nigeria Entertainment and Economic Roundtable scheduled for April 14, 2026, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
The high-level roundtable, which begins at 10:00a.m., will convene policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, investors, members of the diplomatic community and key stakeholders in the tourism, culture, and creative sectors to deliberate on strategies for accelerating Nigeria’s economic diversification as a pathway to strengthening national security.
Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Entertainment and Economic Roundtable, Mr. Chuks Akamadu, said this year’s themed ‘Harnessing Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries for Rapid Economic Diversification and National Security’, reflects growing recognition of the strategic importance of the sectors in driving inclusive growth, job creation, and social stability.
“Senator George Akume will attend as Special Guest of Honour, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to repositioning tourism and the creative economy as central pillars of national development. His presence is expected to reinforce inter-ministerial collaboration and policy coordination in mainstreaming the sectors into Nigeria’s broader economic agenda.
“Similarly, the participation of the Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, highlights the growing nexus between culture, economic empowerment, and national security,” Akamadu said.
He added, “The Roundtable will explore how cultural identity, youth engagement in creative industries, and tourism development can contribute to social cohesion and long-term security outcomes.
“The event will also feature high-level interventions by select governors while the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa will serve as the Official Host Minister.
“A major highlight of the Roundtable will be the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to institutionalize comprehensive data tracking of tourism and creative industries’ contributions to Nigeria’s national economy across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.”
Organisers describe the Roundtable as Nigeria’s foremost elite platform for fostering collaboration between government and the private sector and between national and sub-national governments, with a strong emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPP) as catalysts for sustainable growth and improved national security.
Expected outcomes include strengthened policy commitments, enhanced collaboration among ministries and stakeholders, improved data driven planning frameworks, and greater visibility for tourism and creative industries as strategic tools for economic transformation.
The 3rd Nigeria Entertainment and Economic Roundtable is positioned as a pivotal forum for shaping Nigeria’s future by integrating tourism, culture, and creative enterprise into the heart of national economic planning and security architecture.
