VP Kashim Shettima leads national charge to secure Nigeria’s first Academy Award win
Vice President Kashim Shettima has committed the federal government’s full backing for Nigeria’s campaign at the upcoming 2025 Oscar Academy Awards, with a focus on the film Mai Martaba. The movie, directed by Prince Daniel, has been selected as the country’s official entry in the Best International Feature Film category.
The VP’s pledge came during a meeting with the film’s team, led by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Shettima expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances, highlighting the significance of the country’s growing cultural presence and creative industries. He revealed that creators would have access to the $618 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme (iDICE), which aims to boost investment in digital and creative sectors.
“It’s a good day to be a Nigerian,” Shettima remarked, emphasizing national unity and the power of the film industry to bring together the country’s diverse ethnic groups. “We will make sure that the kaleidoscope that represents all the colours in our nation is carried along. Let’s fuse into one and support this project. There is more that binds us than divides us,” he added.
A Unified Vision for Nigeria’s Oscar Campaign
The Vice President further charged Minister Musawa to lead efforts in mobilizing resources and public support to ensure Nigeria’s success at the Oscars. He pointed out that Nigeria’s population, projected to become the largest in the world by the end of the century, will further cement the country’s role as a cultural powerhouse.
“There is beauty in numbers,” Shettima said. “By the end of the century, Nigeria will be the most populous nation on earth. I want to reiterate my unflinching support for us to get the Oscars.”
“Mai Martaba” to Represent Nigeria at the 2025 Academy Awards
Mai Martaba, a powerful drama about power, love, and female leadership in an ancient African kingdom, is Nigeria’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. Directed by Prince Daniel, the film explores timely themes of political power and gender dynamics in an African context.
The film’s selection as Nigeria’s Oscar contender represents a significant milestone in the country’s film industry, further solidifying Nigeria’s growing influence on the global cinematic stage.
Minister Hannatu Musawa Discusses Industry Growth and Global Partnerships
Speaking earlier at the meeting, Minister Hannatu Musawa highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the creative industry through international partnerships. She revealed that Nigeria has recently entered into co-production agreements with countries like South Korea, the UK, Japan, China, and France to foster collaboration in the film sector.
“We are working with investors who have already committed to building the creative industry,” Musawa said. “We have just concluded agreements with South Korea, UK, Japan, China, and France to sign co-production agreements. We hope to establish a media city, a one-stop shop for nine sectors across the entire industry.”
Musawa also acknowledged the growing international interest in Nigerian talent and content. “The world is interested in Nigeria – not because of our oil, but because of our talent, content, and creativity,” she added.
Addressing Funding Challenges in the Nigerian Film Industry
Despite the positive developments, Musawa acknowledged the challenges faced by filmmakers in terms of infrastructure and financing. Many creators lack access to the necessary resources to produce world-class films. However, she highlighted that even with limited resources, Nigerians are capable of creating impactful content using accessible tools like smartphones.
“Every single Nigerian, no matter what part of the country they come from, even if it’s a rural setting, has the ability to create content on their phone, to empower themselves for decent job futures,” Musawa emphasized.
Prince Daniel Reflects on the Growth of the Creative Industry
Prince Daniel, the director of Mai Martaba, also spoke about the impressive growth of Nigeria’s creative sector. He pointed out that the broadcasting industry contributes more to the nation’s GDP than oil, a testament to the increasing prominence of the creative sector.
“Broadcasting contributes more to GDP than oil does combined, reaching 12.3%. The creative industry and broadcasting in April 2020 did more than oil and mining combined,” Daniel stated. “We’ve created over 500 jobs and provided work for almost 100 people overall. We’re excited because we want to go for the next Oscars.”
The Importance of Government Backing for Nigeria’s Oscar Campaign
Daniel also underscored the crucial role of federal government support in securing an Oscar win, noting that the campaign is capital-intensive and requires significant diplomatic efforts. He referenced South Africa’s 2006 Oscar win for Tsotsi, which he believes played a pivotal role in the country’s rise as a global film hub.
“For every country aspiring for an Oscar, federal government backing is crucial, not only because it is capital-intensive but also because it requires high-level lobbying and diplomacy,” Daniel explained. “Look at South Africa’s ‘Tsotsi’ Oscar win in 2006 – it opened up their entire industry. Today, there’s no part of Africa catching up to South Africa.”
Stephanie Linus Highlights Global Stage Importance
The Chairperson of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Oscars, Stephanie Linus, also shared her thoughts on Nigeria’s Oscar campaign. Linus stressed that the country’s presence on the global film stage is essential, not just for recognition but for building long-term visibility and influence.
“This isn’t just about international recognition,” Linus said. “We need to start building our presence on the global stage now, not in one or two years. The Oscars represent the biggest platform for celebrating cinema. Nigeria needs to be a key player in that space.”
