By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Art has long been regarded in Nigeria as a cultural luxury rather than an economic necessity.
According to Akintunde Omobayowa popularly known as Serial Entrepreneur, this perception has limited the country’s ability to fully harness the enormous economic potential embedded in its creative sector. Yet, across the world, art has proven to be a powerful driver of economic growth, job creation, tourism, and national development. Nigeria is no exception.
Nigeria’s art sector; spanning visual arts, crafts, design, fashion, exhibitions, and cultural festivals; holds significant untapped value.
When properly structured and supported, art can contribute meaningfully to national income and serve as a sustainable source of employment for millions of young people. At a time when unemployment and economic diversification remain pressing challenges, the arts offer a viable and underutilized solution.
Beyond creativity, art is an industry. Artists, curators, gallery owners, fabricators, printers, photographers, and cultural managers form an interconnected value chain that supports livelihoods and stimulates commerce.
Art exhibitions and cultural events boost local economies by increasing demand for hospitality, transportation, and retail services. In major cities like Lagos, art-driven activities have already begun to attract local and international collectors, investors, and tourists.
Art also plays a critical role in tourism development. Countries that invest in museums, cultural districts, and creative hubs enjoy increased visitor inflow and global visibility.
Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage; if properly curated and preserved—can position the nation as a major cultural tourism destination in Africa. This would generate foreign exchange and strengthen Nigeria’s international image.
Education remains central to unlocking this potential. Art must be treated as a foundational discipline rather than a peripheral subject.
By integrating art education with entrepreneurship, technology, and business management, Nigeria can raise a generation of creatives who are not only talented but economically empowered. This approach transforms art from informal practice into a structured and profitable sector.
Importantly, art also serves as a tool for cultural diplomacy. Nigerian artworks exhibited abroad tell our stories, preserve our identity, and project soft power. Each artwork sold internationally is not just a cultural export but an economic transaction that benefits the country.
For Nigeria to fully benefit from the arts, deliberate policies are required. Government and private stakeholders must invest in art infrastructure, provide funding mechanisms, protect intellectual property, and include the creative sector in national development planning. Art should be recognized not as an expense, but as an asset.
In conclusion, art is not merely an expression of beauty; it is a strategic economic resource. When given the attention it deserves, art can drive economic growth, empower youth, promote tourism, and contribute to sustainable national development.
Nigeria must now make the choice to see art not as decoration, but as development.