Nigeria's Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a National Arts, Cultural, Creative, Tourism, and Sports Innovation Hub at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, aiming to boost national development, empower youth, and elevate Nigeria’s global cultural profile.

The hub, structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), will transform the stadium precinct into a vibrant center featuring a National Museum of Arts and Culture, an Entertainment Arena and Performance Centre, a Youth Creative and Entrepreneurship Centre, Eco-Villas and Eco-Lodges, a Family Recreational Park, Cultural Lounges and Marketplaces, a Mounted Games Arena, and a Sports Heritage Pavilion.

The initiative seeks to integrate sports, arts, culture, and tourism to foster economic growth, job creation, and cultural preservation.

At the signing ceremony, FMACTCE Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa praised the collaboration, noting NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko’s contributions to recent sports achievements. She emphasized the project’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting its potential to empower youth, strengthen the economy, and address insecurity through cultural and creative engagement.

NSC Chairman Dikko underscored the need to modernize sports facilities to support continuous activities, stating the hub would showcase Nigeria’s history, sports, and culture. He committed to leveraging existing infrastructure to create opportunities for creatives and ensure the project’s success.

Both parties stressed the importance of inter-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement to deliver a world-class facility that promotes Nigeria’s cultural heritage globally. The partnership builds on Nigeria’s growing creative sector, which includes globally recognized music, film, and art industries, and aims to position Abuja as a cultural and sports hub in Africa.

While specific timelines and funding details remain undisclosed, the MoU marks a commitment to sustainable development through public-private collaboration. The initiative reflects Nigeria’s broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil, with the creative and sports sectors seen as key drivers of growth and youth empowerment.