House Committee Chairman Throws Weight Behind AGN Reform Agenda, Pledges Legislative Support

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Gabriel Saleh Zoch, has pledged to champion legislative reforms that will strengthen the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), improve the welfare of actors, and accelerate the sustainable growth of Nigeria's acting profession.

Hon. Zoch made the commitment while receiving the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, and members of the Guild's national leadership during a courtesy visit at the National Assembly in Abuja.

The lawmaker assured the delegation of his commitment to supporting legislative initiatives that will institutionalise standard contractual frameworks for actors, expand welfare and social protection, strengthen safeguards against exploitation, and promote structured capacity-building programmes to position Nigerian actors for greater competitiveness in the global creative industry.

He commended the Guild's renewed commitment to professionalism, institutional reforms, and industry development, describing the creative economy as a critical driver of national growth, cultural diplomacy, job creation, and youth empowerment.

A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of a Certificate of Nomination to Hon. Gabriel Saleh Zoch as a National Patron of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, in recognition of his commitment to advancing the interests of the Guild and the creative sector.

Presenting the certificate, AGN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, expressed appreciation to the Chairman for accepting the honour and embracing the Guild's reform agenda. He described the partnership as a significant step toward building a more professional, globally competitive, and socially protected acting profession.

The AGN President also called for sustained collaboration with the National Assembly to enact progressive legislation that will provide a stronger legal framework for the protection, welfare, professional development, and long-term advancement of Nigerian actors.

Members of the AGN delegation included the Guild's Vice President (North Central), Nazareth Jesse Bako; Mayor of Abuja, Mercy Salma Salami; the President's Spokesman, Benedict Johnson; and Queen Sera Bulus.

The visit reinforces the Actors Guild of Nigeria's commitment to building strategic partnerships with key government institutions to drive policy reforms, strengthen Nigeria's creative economy, and secure a more sustainable future for practitioners across the nation's film industry.