By Fatima Saka
A delegation of European diplomats under Team Europe has explored the growing potential of Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry, to drive job creation, skills development, and social change across northern Nigeria.
The delegation, led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, visited the Kano Film Village to gain first-hand insight into how the industry contributes to youth employment, education, and economic opportunities. The team included ambassadors and representatives from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium, and Austria.
During the visit, the delegation interacted with filmmakers, actors, producers, and regulators, while also observing the production of Hindatu, a film centered on a young girl striving to pursue her education and become a medical doctor despite pressure for early marriage.
Speaking during the tour, Ambassador Mignot emphasised the transformative power of storytelling in shaping societal values and behaviours.
“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 highlighted the economic relevance of the creative sector, noting that industries like Kannywood are not only cultural platforms but also engines of job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation for young people across Nigeria.
The delegation was 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.
El-Mustapha noted that the board has approved over 10,000 films over the years while supporting industry growth through training programmes, workshops, and stakeholder engagement. He stressed that beyond regulation, the board works closely with filmmakers to improve professional standards and ensure positive societal impact.
Also speaking, filmmaker and broadcaster Abdullaziz Dansmall, who developed the Kano Film Village, said the facility was gradually expanding to support larger-scale productions. He explained that the project began with proceeds from an earlier film and has continued to grow incrementally.
“Our long-term ambition is to transform the site into a fully developed film village capable of supporting larger productions,” he said.
Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, highlighted the sector’s economic significance, revealing that film production is the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture. He noted that the industry supports a wide value chain and has increasingly adapted to digital platforms amid the decline of traditional DVD markets.
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The visit comes as the European Union expands cultural cooperation 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 creatives.
The initiative reflects the EU’s growing recognition of the creative industry as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and social development in Africa.
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