Signed on Thursday in Abuja, the MoU aims to harness the power of arts, culture, tourism, and sports for national development, youth empowerment, and enhanced global recognition.

The upcoming hub will feature world-class facilities, including a National Museum of Arts and Culture, Entertainment Arena and Performance Centre, Youth Creative and Entrepreneurship Centre, Eco-Villas and Eco-Lodges, a Family Recreational Park, Cultural Lounges and Marketplaces, a Mounted Games Arena, and a Sports Heritage Pavilion.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, praised the partnership and commended NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko’s impact on sports development.

“Since Mallam Shehu Dikko came on board, we’ve had back-to-back wins in sports. Partnering with the sports industry through this MoU will empower young Nigerians, showcase our culture, and build capacity. Replicating this project across states will create jobs, boost the economy, and address insecurity,” Musawa said.

She added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of diversifying the economy through the creative and sports industries. In his remarks, Dikko reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing the importance of transforming sports infrastructure.

“We want to revamp our facilities to host up to 4,000 activities around the clock. This project will spotlight our history, sports, and culture while generating value for the creative sector. I assure you of my team’s full dedication to making this initiative a success,” he said.

Structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the project will foster inter-agency collaboration, integrate sports with arts and culture, and encourage both private sector participation and multilateral stakeholder engagement.