Ogun State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Oluwasesan Fagbayi, has emphasized the importance of fostering cultural partnerships between states to elevate Nigeria’s arts and tourism industries. Speaking at the opening of the 2024 National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Abuja, Fagbayi highlighted the vast potential of cultural networking to strengthen the nation’s economic landscape.

In his remarks, Fagbayi urged states to share ideas and collaborate, noting that such partnerships could unlock economic opportunities in the arts and crafts sectors. “States have the opportunity to cross-fertilize ideas, network with one another to maximize the economic potentials in arts and culture, thereby boosting the Internally Generated Revenue,” he said.

Fagbayi also reaffirmed Ogun State’s commitment to reviving and protecting its iconic Adire fabric industry, a vital cultural and economic asset. “Our pride in Ogun State is Adire fabric, which has created thousands of jobs for our people,” he explained, emphasizing the state’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote this important art form.

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The commissioner commended the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun for supporting the arts and culture sector, underscoring the state’s active participation in national cultural events like the International Arts and Crafts Expo and NAFEST.

Dr. Yusuff Quudus, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, echoed Fagbayi’s sentiments, stressing the importance of NAFEST as a platform for fostering meaningful cultural exchanges between states. Meanwhile, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Mrs. Hannatu Musawa, represented by Dr. Shuaibu Hussein, emphasized the role of the arts in promoting national unity and economic growth, encouraging participants to embrace the festival’s theme, “Connected Culture,” as a call to support arts and culture for national development.