Culture ministry eyes 2026 AACT for economic growth

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has expressed strong interest in leveraging the 2026 All-Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) as a platform to promote Nigeria’s tourism assets, cultural heritage and creative economy. This followed a proposal presented to the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, during a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday by […]

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has expressed strong interest in leveraging the 2026 All-Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) as a platform to promote Nigeria’s tourism assets, cultural heritage and creative economy.
This followed a proposal presented to the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, during a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday by the Local Organising Committee of AACT 2026. The proposal seeks collaboration with the Ministry to host a Cultural Night showcasing Nigerian arts, music, fashion and cuisine to visiting African teams, diplomats, government officials and international media.
The organisers also requested that the Ministry designate AACT 2026 as an Official Cultural Economy Event and facilitate the inclusion of the tournament’s Sports-to-Business Investment Pavilion in Nigeria’s presentation at the Nigeria-Belgium-Luxembourg Business Forum scheduled for Brussels in October 2026.
Responding, Musawa welcomed the initiative and said the proposed Cultural Night aligns with the Ministry’s mandate of promoting culture and tourism while creating opportunities for economic growth.
“Golf is not just a sport. It is a community. It builds resilience, gives you a huge appreciation of nature, and from a mental health point of view, it is a sport that should be spread and encouraged for young Nigerians to embrace. This Cultural Night partnership falls squarely within the mandate of the Ministry. This is what we want to encourage,” she said.
The Minister also highlighted the tourism potential of hosting the championship in Abuja from November 2 to 7, 2026, noting that the event would help broaden Nigeria’s tourism narrative beyond Lagos.

“Abuja, being the capital of Nigeria, is a great opportunity for us to make that a staple for people to come in. We have to move that conversation away from Lagos to show what other parts of Nigeria have to offer. The local community is going to benefit as we leverage this opportunity in the FCT.”

The championship, sanctioned by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is expected to attract more than 30 African national delegations, diplomats, government representatives and international media for a week of sport, cultural exchange and investment-focused engagement.