Kannywood filmmaker, Ameen M. Auwal unbundles entrepreneurial pressure amidst digital innovation wave

Muhammad Ameen Auwal popularly known as Ameen M. Auwal, an independent filmmaker in the Kannywood industry has emphasized how the world is ever-evolving with changes and innovations heralded by digital technology, businesses, and how entrepreneurs face intense pressure to remain relevant and thrive.

Ameen M. Auwal in a recent interview disclosed that democratization, ease of entry, and scalable opportunities are a few benefits that digital technology has brought to one sector in particular.

With up to 23 million unemployed people in Nigeria, according to a report in 2022 by Jobberman in collaboration with Young Africa Works and Mastercard Foundation, and pay growth still failing to keep up with the soaring inflation, Ameen M.Auwal described that only the creative industry is well sustained

Ameen said Kannywood and any sector looking to strengthen employment and economic opportunities, the first step is to ensure that there are training, support, and opportunities to offer the most attractive careers and enabling environment for large and small businesses to thrive.

He disclosed since the VCD, DVD, and VHS became outdated that is when Kannywood’s business started shrinking and even collapsed.

Adding that YouTube is now the savior of Kannywood filmmakers as it’s the only platform that they use for their films.

He said Kannywood films will only have profit if there is a proliferation of cinemas in the northern part of Nigeria.

Speaking about his upcoming project ‘ZUCIYA DAYA’ he said is a kind unique drama film with a unique storyline that evolves around trust, and aim to address alot of social issues, and another of his upcoming project  documentary that revolves about tradition and culture.

He also noted that with the emergence of OTT( Over The Top), audience should understand that there are the kings, as they are ones that will choose the kind of content to consume.

The filmmaker advised his colleagues in the profession to be God fearing, and embrace research, and extended the call on the federal government to create avenue for support for the creative industry, like loans, and grants.

Ameen asserted that Nigeria can have a huge chunk of the $2.9 trillion creative industry market share through proper planning and development of local infrastructure, and tax rebate for companies investing in the sector.