The Federal Government says the beauty and hair care industry does not only account for about 30,000 practitioners, but about 15,000 pieces of hair care, beauty care products are sold every month in Nigeria.

The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Thursday, gave an insight into the report recently submitted to the government by the committee led by ace comedian, Ali Baba.

Mohammed, who was a guest on NAN Forum in Abuja, said that the recommendations by the committee, set up to advise government on how to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the creative industry, were revealing.

The minister said the report detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic had negatively impacted on the various industries and suggested what could be done to kick-start and sustain their growth.

Specifically, he said the distancing rules have affected the ability to go out to shoot, produce and distribute films while the lockdown affected musical concerts and invitation of musicians to social functions.

“The same goes for the fashion industry because there is nothing to trigger demand for the hair and beauty care. Of course, when there are no parties and with the face masks the people are putting on, the demand for the products has gone down,” he said.

The minister said the report equally x-rayed the gaps in some of the industries, such as the lack of enforcement especially in the area of protection of intellectual property.

He commended the committee members for a selfless and detailed work in mapping and giving value to the industries and assured that the report would not be swept under the carpet. (NAN)