The European Union's thrown its weight behind Nigeria's creative sector, saying industries like Kannywood are turning young people's talent into real jobs and livelihoods.
A delegation of EU diplomats led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot visited Kano Film Village on Monday to see firsthand how the Hausa-language film industry is driving youth employment, education, and economic development across northern Nigeria.
"Creative industries aren't only about culture," Mignot said in a statement from the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS. "They're also about jobs, skills, entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young people."
The delegation included ambassadors and deputy ambassadors from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium, and Austria.
During the visit, the diplomats watched the production of Hindatu, a film about a young girl fighting to pursue her education and become a doctor instead of bowing to family pressure for an early marriage.
Mignot stressed that stories can shape attitudes. "Films that promote education, opportunity and inclusion can spark important conversations and encourage positive change within communities," he said.
Abba El-Mustapha, Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, said the board has approved more than 10,000 films and runs training programmes to strengthen professional standards.
"Our role isn't only regulatory," he said. "We also work with filmmakers to strengthen professional standards, support capacity development and ensure that films contribute positively to society."
The delegation toured Kano Film Village, a production facility built gradually by filmmaker and broadcaster Abdullaziz Dansmall using revenue from his first major production, Gidang Haya.
Dansmall said he's expanding the site to handle larger productions. "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, pointed to research showing film production is the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture. He said the sector's impact stretches across the creative value chain, but noted challenges around distribution and access to production infrastructure.
The visit comes as the EU expands cultural cooperation through the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture, a €30 million programme that supports artist mobility, cultural spaces, and collaboration between African and European creative professionals.
Kannywood, based in Kano, is one of Africa's largest film ecosystems. It's become a platform for shaping public conversation on education, gender equality, health, and social inclusion. The sector is increasingly seen by governments and development partners as a key driver of youth employment and economic diversification in a country where oil has long dominated the economy.