RismadarVoice Reporters
January 21, 2026
The Federal Government has pledged to collaborate with the Niger State Government to harness and develop the state’s vast tourism potential as a driver of economic growth and national development.
The pledge was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, while hosting a delegation from Niger State led by the member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Mr. Saidu Abdullahi, at her office in Abuja.
Abdullahi, who was accompanied by the General Manager of the Niger State Tourism Corporation, Zainab Mohammed, said the delegation was at the ministry to seek a strategic partnership with the Federal Government to grow and reposition the tourism sector in the state.
He highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Bida, describing it as the headquarters of the Nupe-speaking people worldwide and Nigeria’s first UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art.
“We feel we are not doing enough in terms of giving our culture the visibility it deserves,” Abdullahi said. “For people to identify with and appreciate who we are, our culture must be made very visible. We identify strongly with the vision and programmes of this ministry under the leadership of the Minister.”
He explained that the visit was aimed at presenting opportunities for collaboration, particularly in showcasing the rich Nupe culture through festivals and cultural events, with special emphasis on the Bariki Festival, which is celebrated twice a year.
Tracing the history of the Bariki Festival, Abdullahi noted that it dates back to the colonial era, when it served as a homage-paying event to colonial authorities on the fifth day of Sallah, and has continued even after independence.
“It is a tradition that has been carried through to date. We want to give it a different face, package it differently, and transform it into an international festival, taking inspiration from what I have seen in Ogun State,” he said.
According to him, proper packaging of the festival would generate economic benefits, create jobs, and stimulate wealth creation in Niger State.
He expressed confidence that with the involvement of the Federal Ministry, the Niger State Government would readily support the initiative.
Responding, Musawa commended the delegation and underscored the importance of partnerships with states that possess strong cultural and tourism assets.
“We are working to partner with state governments, and Niger State is certainly one of them, considering the range of tourism assets it has to offer and its strategic proximity,” the Minister said.
She specifically mentioned Zuma Rock as a major tourist attraction located in Niger State that the ministry is interested in enhancing and promoting.
The Minister also disclosed that the ministry is implementing the Renewed Hope Cultural Renaissance Project, which is designed to deepen collaboration between the Federal Government and states.
“We have already signed Memoranda of Understanding with some states, and there are key states we hope to prioritise. Niger State is one of them because of what it has to offer,” she said.
Musawa added that discussions were underway to sign an MoU with Niger State in the coming weeks, which would provide a framework for developing specific projects such as Hawan Sallah, Hawan Bariki, and other tourism initiatives across the state.
“This is something we can move on immediately. If we can engage the Governor and have a meeting soon, we can proceed with signing the MoU and fleshing out these projects,” she added.
