NIPSS, Plateau govt partner to drive Nigeria’s creative economy

2026-02-14 - 04:59

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, at the weekend said it has reinforced its strategic partnership with the Plateau State Government to position technology, culture, and indigenous innovation as key drivers of the Nation’s creative economy. Lateef Jimoh, who represented NIPSS Director-General Ayo Omotayo, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by participants of the 2026 Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48 to Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos. Jimoh explained that the collaboration seeks to translate policy research into practical, actionable strategies capable of stimulating economic growth and advancing national progress. “Beyond theory and structured conversations, we must now focus on practice. “ “Practice is where insight is tested, refined, and transformed into impact. It is the bridge between intellectual reflection and measurable outcomes,” he said. He highlighted the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in nation-building, praising Plateau State for its consistent hospitality and support, which has enabled NIPSS to deliver on its mandate with excellence. As part of their field engagements, the SEC 48 participants visited key institutions in the Nigerian film, music, and creative sectors to explore avenues for boosting local production capacity and creative entrepreneurship. “Indigenous capacity, when deliberately structured, adequately supported, and strategically positioned, can evolve into a major economic asset for national development,” Jimoh noted. He further emphasised the critical role of traditional institutions and community structures in sustaining peace and inclusive development, stressing that sustainable progress cannot rely solely on policy frameworks and macroeconomic models but must be anchored in cultural values, lived experiences, and grassroots initiatives. Jimoh reaffirmed NIPSS’s commitment to close engagement with host states and stakeholders to align with shared goals of building a peaceful, prosperous, and culturally vibrant society. Speaking in his response, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who received the delegation alongside Deputy Governor Ngo Josephine Piyo and other top officials, welcomed the partnership and pledged an enabling environment for policy innovation and economic growth. Describing the creative economy as a strategic frontier for Nigeria’s growth, he said: “The creative economy is not an abstract construct”. “it is a living, evolving sector that flourishes where commerce, culture, tourism, and innovation intersect, contributing significantly to GDP while strengthening social cohesion.” The governor expressed confidence that the NIPSS collaboration would enrich policy formulation, research, and executive decision-making, especially in advancing the creative industries nationwide, while assuring Plateau State’s continued support for learning, research, and strategic interactions. Our correspondent reports that both parties expressed strong optimism that the enhanced partnership would bolster Nigeria’s creative economy, promote innovation-driven development, and foster inclusive national growth. A statement signed by Bere Gyang ,the Director of Press and public affairs to Gov Mutfwang further reads that the 2026 Senior Executive Course 48, themed “Tourism and the Creative Industry,” brings together senior officials from Nigeria’s public and private sectors, including the Armed Forces, health and professional bodies, cultural and tourism institutions, regulatory agencies, federal ministries, security and intelligence services, as well as key economic bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria, National Universities Commission, and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation .