Enhancing Nigeria’s Capacity Development for a Sustainable Future: Opportunities in Art and Art Education

Abstract

Nigeria’s current development challenges are shaped by socio-political instability, economic overdependence on oil, infrastructural deficits, and inadequate integration of education and cultural resources. This paper examines Nigeria’s capacity for sustainable development through the lens of fine arts and art education, highlighting their potential as transformative tools for economic growth, social cohesion, and human capital development. Drawing on recent literature and policy frameworks, the study identifies systemic constraints including limited access to quality arts education, weak institutional support for creative industries, and insufficient integration of indigenous knowledge systems into formal education, that impede holistic national development. The paper proposes a multi-faceted, arts-integrated strategy to enhance Nigeria’s development capacity. Key interventions include strengthening governance, fostering culturally inclusive and community-based art education, promoting creative storytelling for peacebuilding, leveraging digital creativity and innovation, protecting intellectual property rights, and embedding art and art education in national planning aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By linking cultural heritage with progressive pedagogical practices and creative economy opportunities, these strategies aim to cultivate critical thinking, entrepreneurial skills, digital literacy, and social engagement among youth and communities. The findings underscore that art and art education extend far beyond aesthetic value; they are essential catalysts for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development. Integrating creative practices into national development planning enables Nigeria to harness its youthful population, rich cultural resources, and innovative potential to generate employment, strengthen social cohesion, and promote long-term economic and social resilience. The paper concludes that a deliberate convergence of artistic creativity and educational innovation offers a viable pathway for Nigeria to overcome current limitations and achieve sustainable national development.