FG Backs NIPSS Drive to Unlock Nigeria’s Orange Economy

Oru Leonard 

The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind a National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) initiative to unlock Nigeria’s Orange Economy and harness its potential for job creation, entrepreneurship and economic diversification.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the commitment on Tuesday in Abuja when the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, led a delegation from the Institute on a courtesy visit.

The meeting centred on the research being undertaken by participants of NIPSS Senior Executive Course 48 and plans for a National Summit and Exhibition on the Orange Economy.
Idris described the Orange Economy as a major opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its economy, create jobs for young people and promote sustainable prosperity.
“I want to commend NIPSS for this initiative of examining the Orange Economy and entrepreneurship for sustainable development,” he said.

The Minister pledged the support of his ministry and its agencies for the research and proposed summit.

He stressed that effective communication would be crucial to exposing Nigerians and the international community to the opportunities available in the creative economy.
“This Ministry is essentially about taking information to the public and taking it back from the public. It is a two-way thing,” Idris said.

He also highlighted the role of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in providing government with feedback from citizens across the country.

According to him, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to listening to Nigerians and adjusting its policies and programmes where necessary.
“The first question the President asks whenever I sit with him is: ‘What are Nigerians saying?’” he stated.Idris further announced that the Ministry would designate an official to work with NIPSS to improve coordination and facilitate collaboration ahead of the summit.

Earlier, Omotayo said NIPSS was seeking the Ministry’s partnership to advance the research and organise the proposed national summit.

He said the summit would explore the capacity of the Orange Economy to contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation and the ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.
Omotayo disclosed that participants of Senior Executive Course 48 had undertaken research visits across Nigeria and to several countries to study how creative industries are being developed and utilised as engines of economic growth.

He said the proposed summit would bring together government officials, creatives, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders.
“The Orange Economy is a very huge sector. We have identified about 48 subdivisions, and we believe the summit will bring out the potentials in every sector,” Omotayo said.

He added that Nigeria’s expanding creative and digital industries could provide significant opportunities for tackling youth unemployment and promoting entrepreneurship.

Idris reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to work with NIPSS and other strategic institutions to turn research and policy recommendations into practical opportunities for Nigerians, particularly young people.

The collaboration, he said, would also help strengthen Nigeria’s position in the rapidly expanding global creative economy.

Those present included the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; former Minister of Information and Culture and Managing Partner, Bruit Costaud, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, CON; Special Assistant (Administration) to the Minister, Dr. Sunday Baba; Director, Public Communications and National Orientation, Henshaw Ogubike; Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Haruna Suleiman; Director, Production, Publication and Documentary, Mr. Okunnu Ibidapo; Director, International Tourism Relations and Cooperation, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mrs. Dorothy Duruaku; Head, Advancement and Alumni Relations Office, NIPSS, Dr. Evelyn Ikuenobe-Otaigbe, mni; Member, Planning Committee, NIPSS, Joe Mutah; PR and Communications Manager, Bruit Costaud, Nnamdi Atupulazi; and other senior government officials.