More Than a Carnival: Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Highlights Culture as Nigeria’s Unifying Language at 2026 NYSC Cultural Carnival

More Than a Carnival: Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Highlights Culture as Nigeria’s Unifying Language at 2026 NYSC Cultural Carnival

The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists to strengthen support for the National Youth Service Corps cultural carnival and other youth focused initiatives that promote unity and national cohesion. The call was made at the 2026 Batch A Stream One NYSC Cultural Carnival held at the Permanent Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, where the Minister served as Special Guest of Honour.

Representing the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, MFR, mni, delivered heartfelt remarks in which he commended the Corps Members for their vibrant and award winning cultural performances representing Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. He described the displays as impressive, exciting and truly reflective of Nigeria’s cultural identity, noting in particular the creativity of Corps Members who represented states outside their origins. According to him, what was witnessed was not only a celebration of culture but the enthusiasm of young Nigerians building bonds across ethnic and religious lines as they prepare for the future.

Dr. Muhammed further applauded the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General O. O. Nafiu, MSS, CM, psc, fwc(+), gssc(usawc), MSS, MIAD, for sustaining the core values of the Scheme. He remarked that cultural understanding remains a powerful response to the nation’s challenges, expressing confidence that unity nurtured through shared heritage and mutual respect offers a more enduring path to peace than conflict. He described the carnival as a reminder of his own NYSC experience, which he recalled as one of the most defining periods of his life.

Barrister Musawa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the NYSC to institutionalise the cultural carnival as a recognised national platform for creativity, tourism promotion and youth engagement. She assured that the Ministry would continue to provide strategic support and technical assistance to elevate the initiative and position Nigerian youth talents for national and international exposure, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

In a goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, commended the NYSC for its enduring role in fostering national integration through its deployment policy. He described the cultural carnival as a meaningful showcase of Nigeria’s cultural wealth and reaffirmed government support for Corps Members’ empowerment and the continuous improvement of orientation camp facilities in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy acknowledged the presence of distinguished guests, members of the diplomatic community and key stakeholders whose participation reflected shared commitment to Nigeria’s cultural heritage. The Permanent Secretary reiterated the Ministry’s resolve to keep culture at the centre of national cohesion, youth development and sustainable tourism growth.