Entertainments
Kannywood Gains Global Attention for Driving Skills, Opportunities and Inclusion
Diplomats from Team Europe visited the Kano Film Village to gain firsthand knowledge of how Kannywood is contributing to youth employment, education and economic opportunities across northern Nigeria.
The delegation was led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, and included ambassadors and deputy ambassadors from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium and Austria.
The visitors were welcomed 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. They also observed 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 her family’s plans to marry her off.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Mignot highlighted the influence of visual storytelling and creative arts on society.
“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 further noted that creative industries extend beyond culture, serving as important sources of employment, skills development, entrepreneurship and 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.
The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, stated that Kannywood plays a significant role in promoting positive social values while creating opportunities across the creative industry. He revealed that 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 the Kano Film Village, a production facility established by broadcaster and filmmaker Abdullaziz Dansmall. The facility was developed to provide a dedicated environment where films can be produced more efficiently.
“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,” Dansmall explained.
Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, emphasized the economic importance of the industry, citing research that identified film production as the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture.
According to him, the sector’s impact extends well beyond entertainment, creating jobs and supporting businesses throughout the value chain.
He also pointed to ongoing challenges facing the industry, particularly in distribution and access to production facilities. He noted that filmmakers have increasingly adapted to digital platforms and online distribution channels as traditional DVD markets continue to decline.
The Team Europe 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 designed to support artist mobility, cultural spaces and collaboration between African and European creative professionals.
The initiative reflects the EU’s growing recognition of culture and creative industries as important drivers of economic opportunity, innovation and social development.