A delegation of European diplomats has toured Kano Film Village and expressed support for Kannywood’s role in creating jobs, developing skills and expanding economic opportunities for young people across northern Nigeria.

The delegation, led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, visited the facility to gain first-hand insight into how the Hausa-language film industry is contributing to youth employment, education and social development.The delegation included ambassadors and deputy ambassadors from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium and Austria.

Team Europe 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.During the visit, the delegation met filmmakers, actors, producers and regulators and observed the production of Hindatu, a film centred on a young girl determined to continue her education and become a medical doctor despite pressure from her family to marry.

Speaking during the tour, Mignot stressed the power of storytelling and creative arts in shaping attitudes and promoting positive 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.

According to him, creative industries are not only cultural assets but also important sources of jobs, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for young people.

“Creative industries are not only about culture. They are also 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,” he added.

Abba El-Mustapha said Kannywood continues to play a significant role in promoting positive social values while creating opportunities for practitioners across the creative sector.

He noted that the board had approved more than 10,000 films over the years and has supported 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 to provide a dedicated environment for film production. Dansmall said the facility was gradually developed using revenue generated from its first major production, Gidang Haya.

“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,” he said.

Ali Nuhu highlighted the industry’s growing economic significance, citing research indicating that film production is the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture. He said the industry’s impact extends beyond entertainment, supporting livelihoods and businesses across the value chain.

Nuhu, however, identified distribution challenges and limited access to production facilities as some of the obstacles facing the sector, noting that filmmakers have increasingly embraced digital platforms and online distribution channels as traditional DVD markets continue to shrink.