KANO, Nigeria – A delegation of European diplomats under the banner of Team Europe has visited Kano Film Village to assess the growing role of Kannywood in creating jobs, developing skills, promoting education and driving social change 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 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, the diplomats engaged with filmmakers, actors, producers and industry regulators. They also observed the production of Hindatu, a film centred on a young girl determined to pursue her education and become a medical doctor despite pressure from her family to marry early.
Speaking during the tour, Ambassador Mignot emphasized the power of storytelling and the creative arts in shaping attitudes and promoting positive social values.
“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 creative industries are not only important for cultural expression but also serve as engines of economic growth and youth empowerment.
“Creative industries are 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,” Mignot added.
Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha highlighted Kannywood’s contribution to both economic development and the promotion of positive social values. He disclosed that the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board has approved more than 10,000 films over the years while supporting 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 established by broadcaster and filmmaker Abdullaziz Dansmall. The facility was created to provide filmmakers with a dedicated environment for efficient film production.
According to Dansmall, the project began with revenue generated from the production of Gidang Haya, which was reinvested to gradually expand the facility.
“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, described Kannywood as a major contributor to youth employment in Kano State, citing research that ranked film production as the second-largest employer of young people after agriculture.
He said the industry’s impact extends beyond entertainment by supporting businesses and livelihoods across the creative value chain.
Nuhu also identified challenges facing the sector, particularly in distribution and access to modern production facilities, while noting that filmmakers have increasingly embraced digital platforms as traditional DVD markets continue to decline.
The visit comes as the European Union expands 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 EU says the initiative reflects its growing recognition of culture and creative industries as important drivers of economic opportunity, innovation and social development.