FG Locates Interior Design As N30bn Creative Economy Asset

By Ovio Peters

The Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, recently said that Nigeria’s interior design industry contributes approximately N30 billion annually to the economy, underscoring its growing importance within the creative sector. Speaking through Moriam Ajaga, Special Assistant to the President on Arts and Culture, at the 2026 Interior Design Summit in Abuja, Musawa called for stronger policy, financing and institutional support for the industry. She commended the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) and its Federal Capital Territory Chapter for advancing professional standards, curriculum reforms and hosting Africa’s first Culture and Design Festival. Titi Ogufere, Founder of IDAN, highlighted the need to balance technology, culture and sustainability in design practice.

DECISION HIGHLIGHT

The federal government is increasingly positioning design and creative services as economic sectors capable of generating value, jobs, investment and global influence beyond traditional arts and entertainment.

DECISION MEMO

The N30bn contribution attributed to the interior design industry signals a broader shift in how Nigeria’s creative economy is being defined. Rather than focusing solely on music, film and cultural exports, policymakers are increasingly recognising design-led industries as contributors to economic output, enterprise development and national branding.

Musawa argued that the sector occupies a strategic position within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem, linking culture, innovation, manufacturing and professional services. According to her, “Nigeria has climbed 16 places on the Global Soft Power Index. This is proof that when culture is taken seriously, at the highest level of government, the world takes notice.”

The minister disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has inaugurated four high-level drafting committees to develop policy and financing frameworks across creative industries, including design. She further stated that “the ministry’s 2023 Nigeria Everywhere strategy is embedding our creative industries into Nigeria’s global brand.”

A notable policy direction emerged from Musawa’s call for greater utilisation of local design expertise in public infrastructure. “Government buildings, federal institutions, and public institutions should be showcases for our homegrown design excellence,” she said. The statement suggests an emerging local-content approach that could create demand for indigenous creative professionals.

The discussion around grants, tax incentives and investment readiness programmes also indicates a shift from advocacy towards commercial ecosystem development.

Titi Ogufere, Founder of IDAN, reinforced the sector’s evolving role, noting that the industry’s challenge is to balance “Nature, Culture and Technology in the Digital Age” amid accelerating technological change and growing demand for culturally relevant and human-centred spaces.

The broader implication is that design is increasingly being treated as an economic asset capable of strengthening Nigeria’s creative exports, soft power and domestic value creation.

DATA BOX

• Annual contribution of interior design industry:
  • N30bn
• Event:
  • 2026 Interior Design Summit
• Location:
  • Abuja
• Industry support measures under consideration:
  • Grants
  • Tax incentives
  • Investment readiness programmes
• Creative economy milestone:
  • Nigeria climbed 16 places on the Global Soft Power Index
• Institutional initiatives:
  • Four high-level drafting committees established for creative-sector policy and financing frameworks
• Strategic platform:
  • Nigeria Everywhere Strategy

WHO WINS / WHO LOSES

Who Wins

• Interior designers and creative professionals
• Design-focused SMEs
• Creative industry investors
• Educational institutions supporting design training
• Local suppliers within the design value chain

Who Loses

• Foreign suppliers benefiting from weak local content participation
• Creative businesses unable to adapt to technological change
• Informal operators lacking professional standards and certification

POLICY SIGNALS

• Creative industries are being integrated into national economic development planning.
• Government is considering fiscal and financing support mechanisms for creative enterprises.
• Local content utilisation may become more prominent in public projects.
• Design is being repositioned as both a cultural and economic asset.

INVESTOR SIGNAL

The industry’s estimated N30bn annual contribution and the government’s interest in financing frameworks, incentives and investment readiness programmes point to emerging opportunities across design services, creative infrastructure, furniture manufacturing, architecture, hospitality and cultural branding.

RISK RADAR

• Limited access to finance could constrain industry expansion.
• Weak enforcement of professional standards may affect quality and competitiveness.
• Dependence on imported materials could increase production costs.
• Policy intentions may not translate into effective implementation.
• Skills gaps and technology adoption challenges could slow industry growth.