By Our Correspondent
Team Europe has visited Kano Film Village to assess the growing role of the Kannywood film industry in promoting youth employment, skills development, economic opportunities and social transformation across northern Nigeria.
The delegation, led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, comprised ambassadors and deputy ambassadors from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium and Austria.
The diplomats were received by the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, 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 and 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 family pressure to marry.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Mignot underscored the power of storytelling and creative arts in shaping attitudes and promoting social change.
“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 added that creative industries extend beyond culture, serving as drivers of jobs, entrepreneurship and opportunities for young people.
According to him, young Nigerians continue to demonstrate exceptional talent and creativity, while industries such as Kannywood are transforming that potential into sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.
Abba El-Mustapha highlighted Kannywood’s contribution to promoting positive social values and creating opportunities within the creative sector. He disclosed that the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board has approved more than 10,000 films over the years while supporting practitioners 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 developed by broadcaster and filmmaker Abdullaziz Dansmall. He explained that the facility was gradually expanded using proceeds from its first major production, Gidang Haya, with the long-term vision of creating a fully developed film village capable of supporting larger productions.
Ali Nuhu emphasized the economic significance of Kannywood, citing research indicating that film production is the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture.
He noted that the industry’s impact extends beyond entertainment by creating livelihoods and supporting businesses across the value chain. He also identified distribution and access to production facilities as major challenges, while observing that the industry has increasingly embraced digital platforms following the decline of traditional DVD markets.
The visit comes as the European Union expands cultural cooperation between Africa and Europe through initiatives such as the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture, 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 recognition of culture and creative industries as important drivers of economic opportunity, innovation and social development.
