NSUK, Kaduna International Film Festival Partner to Boost Student Training in Creative Industry

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has initiated a strategic partnership with the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) aimed at strengthening student capacity building in filmmaking and the creative industry.

The collaboration was unveiled on Monday, June 29, 2026, when the Vice-Chancellor of NSUK, Prof. Sa'adatu Hassan Liman, received a delegation from KADIFF led by its Director-General, Mr. Israel Audu, during a courtesy visit to the university.

The meeting focused on establishing an industry-academia partnership that will equip students with practical skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and professional exposure needed to succeed in the fast-growing global creative economy.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Audu explained that the proposed collaboration is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice by exposing students to the technical, creative, and commercial aspects of filmmaking.

He disclosed that the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will focus on three key areas, including capacity building through practical training, professional film production experience, and participation in film festival activities. Other areas include technology transfer and research to integrate academic scholarship with modern filmmaking techniques, as well as commercialization to equip students with knowledge of film distribution, marketing, and content monetisation.

The KADIFF Director-General noted that the festival has maintained successful partnerships with institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Kaduna State University (KASU), and Kaduna Polytechnic. He expressed confidence that a similar collaboration with NSUK, particularly through its Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, would further promote talent development and innovation within Nigeria's creative industry.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sa'adatu Hassan Liman, welcomed the proposal, describing it as one that aligns with the university's vision of combining academic excellence with practical skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

She reaffirmed the institution's commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically outstanding but also equipped with industry-relevant competencies capable of creating employment opportunities and contributing meaningfully to national development.

To facilitate the partnership, Prof. Liman directed the Institute for Strategic Development Communication (ISDEVCOM) and the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies to immediately engage with the KADIFF team to identify areas of mutual interest and prepare a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding for implementation.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that the collaboration would expand opportunities for students, strengthen practical training, promote research and innovation, and further position Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as a leading institution in creative arts education and industry engagement.

The meeting was attended by the Acting Director of ISDEVCOM and former Head of the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Dr. Daniel Cikada, alongside other principal officers of the university.

The visit concluded with the presentation of official university souvenirs to the KADIFF Director-General by the Vice-Chancellor as a symbol of appreciation and commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership. Both delegations also posed for a group photograph to commemorate the occasion.