Nigeria and France are planning new partnerships in filmmaking, museum exhibitions and creative business financing ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria–France state visit, with culture expected to feature prominently in discussions between the two countries.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed this on Thursday following meetings with French officials in Paris.
Musawa said she held talks with France’s Minister of Culture, Catherine Pégard, and Minister Delegate Éléonore Caroit, as well as representatives of the French Development Agency, known as AFD.
According to the minister, both countries agreed to place culture at the centre of the forthcoming state visit, with the Agora project expected to anchor a long-term partnership covering heritage, museums, film and the creative economy.
Among the proposals discussed were film co-production arrangements and training opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers through France’s National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC) and La Fémis, a French film school.
The discussions also covered a proposed Kings & Queens museum exhibition involving Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme and financing opportunities for businesses in the creative sector.
Musawa said the proposed collaboration was intended to strengthen cultural ties and create opportunities for Nigerian creatives.
“Culture changes the perspective of a whole generation. We are building a partnership for the ages,” she said.
The proposed initiatives could open new avenues for Nigerian filmmakers to access training, international co-production opportunities and wider markets, while museum collaboration could provide opportunities to showcase the country’s cultural heritage to international audiences.
However, Musawa’s statement did not provide details on the financial commitments involved, the implementation timelines for the proposed projects or the specific funding expected to be made available to Nigerian creative businesses.
The forthcoming Nigeria–France state visit is expected to provide a platform for both countries to advance discussions on cultural cooperation and other areas of bilateral relations.
