Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria’s federal government-backed “Motherland 2025” initiative has officially moved from policy to practice, as the Abuja Creative City enters its operational phase this month, marking a significant milestone for the country’s creative economy.
Designed as a purpose-built hub for fashion, film, and digital arts, the Abuja Creative City has commenced its first set of projects, positioning itself as a nucleus for creative production, collaboration, and enterprise. The development signals a shift from conceptual frameworks to tangible infrastructure aimed at supporting creatives, cultural entrepreneurs, and creative-tech businesses.
According to stakeholders familiar with the initiative, the Creative City model is intended to cluster talent, resources, studios, training facilities, and business support services in one ecosystem. By doing so, the government hopes to reduce structural barriers that have historically slowed the growth of Nigeria’s creative industries, while attracting investment and fostering job creation.
The Motherland 2025 initiative is part of a broader national strategy to leverage culture, creativity, and digital innovation as drivers of economic diversification. Abuja Creative City is expected to serve as a pilot, with similar “Creative City” hubs anticipated across other regions if the model proves successful.
For creatives, the launch represents more than just new infrastructure. It signals growing institutional recognition of the creative sector as a serious economic force, one capable of contributing to GDP growth, export earnings, and youth employment. Fashion designers, filmmakers, animators, game developers, and digital artists stand to benefit from improved access to shared facilities, professional networks, and structured support systems.
As Abuja Creative City begins rolling out its initial programmes and projects, industry observers will be watching closely to see how effectively it bridges the gap between policy ambition and real-world impact for Nigeria’s creative community.
At Creative Money, we’ll continue to track developments around Creative Cities, funding opportunities, and policies shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy.
