Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) outlined plans for a film studio and digital training for the Kannywood film industry, during an engagement in Kano on January 3, 2026.
NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi discussed the proposed support with filmmakers and technology developers at the PRNigeria Centre for Research and Development in Kano, a major city in northern Nigeria.
Kannywood is the Hausa-language film industry associated with northern Nigeria. Event host PRNigeria said the agency envisaged a studio, training and facilities where developers could work on emerging technologies.
Okay News reports that the account described proposed support, without giving a construction timetable, project cost or evidence that a studio had been completed.
Nasiru B. Muhammad, identified by the host as president of the Professional Film Directors Association of Nigeria, asked for support with artificial intelligence tools for translation and subtitling. He said these could help filmmakers reach audiences outside their existing markets.
Local developers also demonstrated products at the engagement. PRNigeria identified a media-monitoring application developed by Shuaib S. Agaka and a student-records platform developed by Abdullahi Sani Mahuta.
Inuwa encouraged the developers to work with other specialists to improve their products and reach more users, according to the host’s account.
The visit was reported alongside NITDA’s engagement with the FutureMap Foundation on regional innovation. The regional discussion examined the North-West’s innovation ecosystem and its links with other regions.
The PRNigeria account described the FutureMap roundtable as a separate preceding engagement involving government, education and business participants.
