By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 29, 2023 (NAN) Mr Femi Oyelade, a professional brand guru on Sunday harped on the important role artisans play in the growth and development of nation’s economy.
Oyelade told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Abuja that the creative industry accounted for a significant percentage of the nation’s GDP.
He said that the role artisans play in growing the economy of any nation cannot be overemphasised.
He, however, said that it was unfortunate that the country was not fully leveraging on the potential of the sector.
“Motion picture and music recording, for example, currently accounts for roughly N154 billion (roughly 197.6 million U.S. dollars) of Nigeria’s GDP in 2023.
“Despite the significant contribution of the movie and music industry to the country’s GDP, that of telecommunications and information services stood at N 2.84 trillion (around 3.64 billion U.S. dollars).
“This represents the most valuable sector in the information and communication industry,” he said.
He noted that artisan entrepreneurs were challenged by an inability to tap into established supply chains and usually experience hiccups in building their craft to scale because of lack of proper training and funding.
He said the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) project initiated by the Federal government was a welcome development, stressing that there was a need for proper sensitisation as well as licensing and certification of artisans across the country.
“Clearly, most people still do not understand the full economic value of the sector, including the artisans.
“This is why there is a need for proper sensitisation and a general overhaul of the industry, not just establishing associations that lack systems and structures.
“Artisans right now are unstructured and seen as jobs for the illitrates, poor and unsuccessful people, that notion needs to be changed.
“Therefore, the sector needs proper orientation, training and empowering and to get this done the need to register and certify them as professionals cannot be overemphasised.
“This will also give them easy access to grants, loans, and corporate society,” he said.
He advised the current administration to take advantage of the sector and key into the development of the artisans’ ecosystem in the country.
NAN reports that Oyelade is an events and projects coordinator with over 21 years of experience whose passion is the development of the artisans’ ecosystem in the country.
He founded the Artisan hub that provides a platform for over 4,000 artisans, currently in line with the current administration’s i-DICE project.
The Artisan hub has empowered over 25 artisans and created value within the creative sector.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
