Team Europe Explores Kannywood’s Potential to Drive Jobs, Skills and Social Change in Northern Nigeria
By Core Reporters
Diplomats from the European Union and its member states have visited Kano Film Village to gain first-hand insight into how Kannywood is contributing to youth employment, education, economic growth, and positive social change across Northern Nigeria.
The delegation, led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, included ambassadors and deputy heads of mission from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium, and Austria.
The visitors were received by the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu.
During the visit, Team Europe engaged with filmmakers, actors, producers, and regulators, while also observing the production of Hindatu, a film that tells the story of a young girl determined to pursue her education and become a medical doctor despite pressure from her family to marry at an early age.
Speaking during the tour, Ambassador Mignot emphasized the transformative power of storytelling and the creative arts.
“Stories have the power to inspire change. Films that promote education, opportunity, and inclusion can spark important conversations and encourage positive change within communities,” he said.
He noted that the creative industry goes beyond entertainment and culture.
“Creative industries are not only about culture. They are also about jobs, skills, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities for young people. Across Nigeria, young people are demonstrating remarkable talent and creativity, and industries such as Kannywood are helping transform that potential into livelihoods and economic opportunity,” he added.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, highlighted Kannywood’s role in promoting positive social values while creating opportunities across the creative sector.
According to him, the Board has approved more than 10,000 films over the years and continues to support the industry through training programmes, workshops, and stakeholder engagement.
“Our role is not only regulatory. We also work with filmmakers to strengthen professional standards, support capacity development, and ensure that films contribute positively to society,” he said.
The delegation also toured Kano Film Village, a production facility developed by broadcaster and filmmaker Abdullaziz Dansmall. The facility provides a dedicated production environment designed to improve efficiency and support the growth of the industry.
Speaking on the project’s evolution, Dansmall said:
“Our first major production was Gidang Haya. We used the revenue from that project to build little by little, expanding the facility over time. Our long-term ambition is to transform the site into a fully developed film village capable of supporting larger productions.”
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu, underscored the industry’s economic significance, citing research that identified film production as the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture.
He noted that Kannywood’s impact extends beyond entertainment, generating livelihoods and supporting businesses throughout the creative value chain.
Ali Nuhu also highlighted challenges facing the sector, particularly in distribution and access to production infrastructure. He observed that the industry has increasingly embraced digital platforms and online distribution channels following the decline of traditional DVD markets.
The visit comes as the European Union expands support for cultural cooperation between Africa and Europe through initiatives such as the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC), a €30 million programme aimed at supporting artist mobility, cultural spaces, and collaboration between African and European creative professionals.
The initiative reflects the EU’s growing recognition of culture and the creative industries as important drivers of economic opportunity, innovation, and social development across the continent.
