The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has entered into a landmark three-year public-private partnership with Chocolate City Group, a leading entertainment company in the country.
Signed on Thursday in Abuja, the Memorandum of Understanding aims to fast-track the development of creative infrastructure and advance Nigeria’s goal of becoming the cultural hub of Africa.
As part of the agreement, the two parties will partner to establish live performance venues nationwide, support talent discovery and development, expand international distribution channels for Nigerian creative content, and strengthen intellectual property protection frameworks.
A Joint Working Committee, comprising representatives from both the Ministry and Chocolate City, will oversee the implementation of the partnership and identify key priority projects.
“Nigeria’s creative industries represent one of our greatest untapped economic resources,” said Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, who signed the pact on behalf of the federal government.
“This partnership with Chocolate City exemplifies our commitment to harnessing the power of public-private collaboration to build sustainable creative ecosystems that empower Nigerian talent and showcase our cultural wealth globally.”
This initiative is aligned with the government’s broader strategy to tap into the creative sector’s economic potential, which analysts view as a key driver for reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil.
The Co-Founder and Chairman of Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori, described the agreement as both timely and essential for the growth and expansion of the creative industry.
“Afrobeats has emerged as Nigeria’s most powerful cultural ambassador,” he said. “Beyond this, Afrobeats also serves as a powerful cultural export and diplomatic resource, enhancing Nigeria’s global reputation.”
Maikori pointed out that Nigeria’s music industry contributes around $2 billion each year, a substantial share of the $26 billion global music market.
He underscored the importance of enhanced infrastructure and institutional backing to support continued growth and development.
By working with the government, we can address long-standing challenges in distribution, infrastructure, and rights protection that have limited the sector’s full potential,” he added.
The Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Chocolate City, Paul Okeugo, said the partnership would bring clarity to ongoing federal reforms targeting the creative space.
“When we develop performance venues and creative spaces across Nigeria, we’re creating jobs not just for artists but for sound engineers, event managers, security personnel, hospitality workers, and countless others,” he said.
The MoU supports “Nigeria Destination 2030,” a federal initiative aimed at establishing the country as a global hub for tourism, investment, and cultural exchange by 2030.
The program focuses on infrastructure development, policy reforms, and strategic partnerships to highlight Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creative potential.
Founded in 2005, Chocolate City has grown from a music label into a diverse entertainment company, with ventures spanning production, artist management, publishing, and consultancy.
