Nigeria, Qatar resume talks to explore collaboration in arts, culture, tourism
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has resumed discussions with the Government of Qatar to deepen cultural exchange and strengthen partnerships in arts and tourism between both countries.
Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa met with the Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Dr. Ali Ghamen Al-Hajri, in Abuja on Monday, where they explored opportunities to promote mutual understanding and growth through creative and cultural collaborations.
Musawa highlighted Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and thriving creative industries, including music, film, and visual arts. She expressed the country’s readiness to partner with Qatar in preserving and showcasing Nigerian artefacts and fostering people-to-people connections through cultural diplomacy.
“Our relationship with the Gulf is important but not complete without Qatar. We have been very active in recovering artefacts like the Benin Bronzes, and we want to work with Qatar to preserve and display them,” the minister said. “We also look forward to a memorandum of understanding on how our culture, music, and tourism partnerships can benefit both countries.”
Ambassador Al-Hajri reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to advancing cultural and creative partnerships with Nigeria, noting that both nations have strengthened economic ties across aviation, oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, and agriculture.
He said Qatar was eager to collaborate with Nigeria to promote culture, boost tourism, and create mutually beneficial opportunities, adding that the potential of Nigeria’s creative industry and its global influence remained significant.
Both sides agreed that art and culture are vital tools for diplomacy and development and expressed enthusiasm for formalising the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In attendance were the Executive Director, Katsina State History and Culture Bureau, Dr. Kabir Ali Masanawa; Founder of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Chioma Ude; Special Adviser to the President on Culture, Moriam Ajaga; and Special Adviser to the Minister on Sub-national Development, Abiola Abdulkareem.
