The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has entered into a five-year partnership with Ananse Internet Group to establish a network of design and innovation hubs across the country.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks the launch of the Ananse Centre for Design, with the first hub scheduled to open in Lagos later this year.
According to the Ministry, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to drive economic diversification, create employment, and empower young Nigerians through fashion, leather, and digital storytelling value chains.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, described the partnership as a significant step in connecting creativity with technology and entrepreneurship for national growth
“This partnership is a strategic move that embodies the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda. It is about investing in our creative talent and giving them tools to thrive, compete globally, and contribute to the economy,” she said.
Under the agreement, the Ministry will provide policy direction, infrastructure, and funding support in selected locations, while Ananse Internet Group will leverage its technical know-how, digital platforms, and internationally certified training modules to manage and operate the hubs.
The Lagos hub, set to be launched this year, will serve as a prototype for additional centres to be developed in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These hubs will focus on nurturing young creatives and supporting micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), with particular attention to women and youth-led ventures.
The programme is designed to train and empower over 5,000 participants in areas such as fashion design, leather craftsmanship, business development, and digital commerce. Beneficiaries will also be connected to Ananse’s cross-border e-commerce platform, giving them access to global fashion and creative markets.
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As part of the broader vision, the Ministry and Ananse Internet Group also announced plans to conduct joint research and collect data that will inform policies and regulations to support the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s creative industries.
Meanwhile, a joint committee will be established to oversee the programme’s rollout and track key performance metrics, including the number of creatives trained, start-ups launched, jobs created, and partnerships formed between local and international players in the industry.
