By Okoye Chioma

The Nigerian government has announced a strategic partnership with Chocolate City Group to revamp the National Film Institute (NFI) into a world-class film school and production hub. The agreement was signed at the Cannes Film Festival, where the Nigerian delegation is actively promoting the Screen Nigeria initiative.

The NFI overhaul is a key part of the federal government’s “Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere” strategy, which aims to generate 2 million jobs and contribute $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030 through growth in the creative and tourism sectors. The partnership will modernize NFI’s infrastructure, update its curriculum, and establish global exchange programs with top international film schools.

This new agreement builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abuja between the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy and Chocolate City Group. That MoU focused on expanding local live entertainment venues, nurturing talent, developing global distribution channels for Nigerian content, and enhancing intellectual property protection.

The Ministry will support this initiative through the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Company (CTICo), a federal investment vehicle established to catalyze infrastructure development in Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors. CTICo will provide both capital and oversight to ensure the NFI becomes a globally competitive institution.

Despite training hundreds of professionals now active in Nollywood, the NFI has long struggled with outdated facilities and limited access to modern production equipment. The revitalization aims to address these challenges and provide students with hands-on experience in contemporary film technologies.

Speaking on the importance of the upgrade, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, emphasized the government’s commitment:

“For too long, our most promising filmmakers have had to seek technical training abroad. We’re now investing in infrastructure that transforms raw talent into world-class professionals right here in Nigeria. This is precisely the kind of public-private collaboration President Tinubu envisioned when he made the creative economy a pillar of our national development strategy.”

The reimagined NFI is expected to train 10,000 students over the next decade, with at least 2,000 graduates placed directly into industry roles. Chocolate City Group will also mobilize sustainable funding and build career pathways in the global entertainment market.

Audu Maikori, Chairman of Chocolate City Group, underscored the importance of education to Nigeria’s creative future:

“We’re witnessing Nigeria’s creative renaissance, and education is the foundation that will sustain it. Reimagining film education from the ground up will ensure we prepare students for current opportunities and empower them to create new ones. Nigerian storytelling belongs on the global stage.”

The announcement coincides with a milestone moment for Nigerian cinema at Cannes, where the country is celebrating its first-ever official selection, “My Father’s Shadow”, alongside the widely discussed historical fantasy, “Osamede.”

Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the National Film Corporation, reflected on the significance:

“Our breakthrough at Cannes represents what individual visionaries can achieve. This partnership ensures we’ll soon have thousands more filmmakers with the training and networks to follow in their footsteps.”

Concluding the announcement, Abuchi Peter Ugwu, CEO of Chocolate City Music, stated:

“With over two decades of experience nurturing Nigerian creative talent, our goal is to create an ecosystem that supports creators from concept to career. We’re building a self-sustaining pipeline that turns Nollywood’s potential into economic opportunity while positioning Nigeria as a global hub for creative and technical excellence.”