The European Union has emphasized the increasing contribution of Nigeria’s creative sector to job creation, skill development, and economic prospects for youth, claiming that sectors like Kannywood are assisting in the conversion of talent into sustainable livelihoods.
Following Team Europe diplomats’ visit to Kano Film Village, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS issued a statement on Monday outlining the stance.
The delegation comprised ambassadors and deputy ambassadors from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium, and Austria, under the leadership of Gautier Mignot, the EU ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS. The statement claims that the ambassadors went to the facility to see firsthand how Kannywood uses entertainment as a platform to promote positive social values while also assisting with young employment, education, and economic development in northern Nigeria.
Speaking during the tour, Mignot stated that the creative sector is essential for young people’s employment and entrepreneurship and goes well beyond culture and entertainment.
“Culture is just one aspect of the creative industries. They also deal with employment, skills, entrepreneurship, and giving young people chances. Young people in Nigeria are showing incredible aptitude and inventiveness, and businesses like Kannywood are assisting in turning that potential into jobs and financial opportunities, he said.
Additionally, the EU envoy emphasized the ability of narrative to shape views and promote social change.
Narratives possess the ability to motivate transformation. Movies that support inclusivity, education, and opportunity can start crucial discussions and foster constructive community change, he said.
During the visit, the party watched the making of Hindatu, a movie about a young girl who, in spite of pressure from her family to marry young, is determined to continue her education and become a doctor.
Abba El-Mustapha, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, stated that Kannywood keeps advancing moral principles while giving thousands of professionals in the creative industry possibilities.
He revealed that over 10,000 films have been approved by the board over the years, and that stakeholder engagement, workshops, and training programs have helped the business flourish.
“We play more than just a regulatory role. Additionally, we collaborate with filmmakers to uphold professional standards, encourage capacity building, and guarantee that movies have a beneficial social impact,” he stated.
Additionally, the delegation visited Kano Film Village, a production center created by broadcaster and director Abdullaziz Dansmall.
According to Dansmall, the facility was progressively constructed using money from movie companies and is currently being enlarged to handle bigger projects.
Gidang Haya was our first significant production. With the money we made from that endeavor, we gradually expanded the facility. Our long-term goal is to turn the location into a fully functional film hamlet that can accommodate bigger projects,” he stated.
Ali Nuhu, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, emphasized the industry’s economic importance by pointing to studies that showed film production to be Kano State’s second-largest source of youth employment, after agriculture.
In addition to highlighting issues with distribution and access to production infrastructure, he pointed out that the industry’s influence goes beyond filmmaking, supporting companies and livelihoods throughout the creative value chain.
The visit, according to the statement, coincides with the European Union’s growing support for cultural cooperation between Africa and Europe through programs like the €30 million Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture program, which supports artist mobility, cultural spaces, and collaboration between African and European creative professionals.
One of Nigeria’s fastest-growing non-oil industries is the creative sector, especially the entertainment and film industries. One of the biggest cinema ecosystems in Africa is Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry centered in Kano. It has a big influence on public conversation about topics including social inclusion, gender equality, health, and education. In a nation where millions of young people join the workforce every year, the industry has gained recognition from governments and development partners as a major force behind youth employment, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification.
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