FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ART, CULTURE, TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY COMMEMORATES THE 2026 WORLD CULTURE DAY FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY FOR DIALOGUE AND DEVELOPMENT (WORLD CULTURE DAY)

As the world commemorates the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (World Culture Day), the Federal Government celebrates the richness of Nigeria’s extraordinary cultural wealth and reaffirms its steadfast commitment to harnessing culture as a catalyst for unity, sustainable development, and peaceful co-existence.

Nigeria’s remarkable tapestry of languages, traditions, arts, cuisine, fashion, arts and crafts etc is a national treasure that strengthens our identity and projects our soft power across the world. As we observe this international day, we honour the creativity of our people from traditional custodians and community artists to contemporary practitioners, cultural entrepreneurs, and the millions whose everyday expressions sustain our shared cultural heritage.

Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Ministry continues to pursue bold interventions to preserve cultural heritage, expand access to cultural participation, and grow the creative economy. These initiatives include the Destination 2030 Nigeria Everywhere, Creative Leap Acceleration Programme, Creative Renaissance Project (Heritage Preservation), the Creative Economy Development Fund and most worthy of note the almost completed review of the National Policy on Culture after 37 years as well as numerous strategic partnerships designed to promote Nigeria’s vibrant culture and creative economy on global platforms.

Cultural diversity is not merely a matter of celebration; it is an active resource for dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusive growth. By investing in cultural education, promoting intercultural exchange, and ensuring equitable participation in cultural industries, we can build resilient communities and unlock new pathways for livelihood and innovation.

The Ministry’s achievements speak volumes, however more work needs to be done to ensure that Nigeria’s Art, Culture and Creative Economy sector takes its place on the global stage. The Ministry calls on fellow government agencies, the private sector, cultural institutions, traditional authorities, and all citizens to join in a renewed effort to safeguard our cultural assets and to mainstream culture and creative economy in national development planning.

On this Day, the Ministry reaffirms its continued commitments to protect and preserve Nigeria’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage for present and future generations, promote cultural participation and creative livelihoods as drivers of social cohesion and economic prosperity as well as advance cultural diplomacy that projects Nigeria’s values and creativity on the international stage.

As we celebrate, I enjoin all Nigerians to let our cultural diversity which is our strength continue to guide our dialogue in order to foster peace, equality, and sustainable development.

I extend my warm greetings to all cultural practitioners, institutions, and citizens observing the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. May our unity in diversity continue to be a beacon of creativity and progress for Nigeria and the world.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa