Ali Baba, the Nigerian comedian, has called on the government to increase its support for the creative industry.
During a recent appearance on the Sunrise Show on Channels Television, he emphasized the importance of developing and valuing the creative sector. Ali Baba highlighted that the creative industry is a significant employer, especially for youth in Nigeria, and stressed the need for government support and structure to nurture its growth. He said in part “The creative industry is the second largest employer of labour after agriculture where you have farmers and all that. Then the next largest employer of labour of youths especially in Nigeria is the creative industry. You see, governments over time have failed to realise that this large industry needs development, needs support and needs structure.”
He expressed concern over the industry being overlooked in economic discussions, citing a report from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group that excluded the creative industry in its forecast of the Nigerian economy. He said, “Two years ago, a forecast of the Nigerian economy in the next five years was looked into by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the entertainment and creative industry was not considered. Booklet of about 200 pages was done and the creative industry was not considered. The value of the creative industry in Nigeria is beyond the country,“
Ali Baba underscored the impact of artists like Burna Boy in promoting national awareness, suggesting that they have contributed more than traditional ambassadors to showcasing Nigerian talent on the global stage. He said, “Burna Boy has done a lot more for the Nigerian national awareness than any ambassador that have been posted to America, the UK or any other place. So Nigerian artists are creating national awareness and making other countries to know about us than any ambassador would have done.”
