Filmmakers in Plateau State on Friday, January 16, 2026, convened for a strategic roundtable dialogue aimed at repositioning the state as a major hub for filmmaking in Nigeria. The meeting, hosted by the Plateau State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, took place at Valada Hotel, Jos, and brought together renowned filmmakers, producers, actors, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the creative industry.
The dialogue focused on identifying gaps within the local film industry and exploring pathways to revive Plateau State’s historic status in Nigerian cinematography. Stakeholders recalled that Nigeria’s earliest recognized feature film, Palaver (1926), a silent movie directed by British filmmaker Geoffrey Barkas, was filmed among the Sura and Angas peoples of the Bauchi Plateau, present-day Plateau and Bauchi States—cementing the region’s place in the nation’s cinematic history.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Hon. Cornelius Dongnaan Doeyok, described the roundtable as a defining moment for reclaiming Plateau State’s cinematic legacy.
“It is a profound honor to stand before this gathering of visionaries and storytellers,” Doeyok said. “We are not merely here to discuss the industry; we are here to reclaim a legacy. Plateau State is no longer just a scenic location—we are declaring ourselves a global film destination.”
He emphasized that under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the state government views tourism and culture as critical drivers of sustainable economic growth. According to him, the film industry represents a vast value chain capable of generating employment, attracting investment, and boosting tourism.
The commissioner outlined government plans to support filmmakers through improved infrastructure, including world-class studios and the renovation of facilities at the National Film Institute; development of skilled local human capital; and the creation of film-friendly policies to streamline permits and guarantee security for production crews.
He also announced initiatives such as the development of a “Plateau Film Map” to showcase iconic filming locations and the exploration of incentive frameworks and public-private partnerships to support productions that employ local talent.
Veteran filmmaker Sani Muazu, in his contribution, lamented the decline of Plateau State’s prominence in filmmaking despite its historic reputation. He noted that many creatives trained in the state have migrated elsewhere due to limited opportunities.
“Film is a powerful economic activity with multiple value chains,” Muazu said. “We need to ask ourselves what happened to Jos and how we can make it attractive again for filmmakers to return or invest here.”
He proposed the establishment of cottage cinemas across local government areas as a means of creating a sustainable market for locally produced content. According to him, such cinemas would help build audience appreciation for indigenous stories and create a viable ecosystem where filmmakers can earn returns on their work.
The issue of security also featured prominently in discussions, with participants noting that negative perceptions about safety in Plateau State have discouraged filmmakers from choosing the state as a filming destination. Speakers called for improved security and deliberate efforts to positively rebrand the state.
Lawmaker Daniel Asama, representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, urged filmmakers to focus on producing compelling local content that promotes Plateau’s culture and hospitality. He stressed that quality storytelling aligned with modern trends would attract both government attention and private investment.
Filmmaker and producer Yill Fomwul Gonsum described the roundtable as a strategic effort to bridge the longstanding gap between filmmakers and the government. She said the dialogue brought together veteran and emerging filmmakers to foster unity, strengthen their collective voice, and establish a more seamless relationship with the state government.
Gonsum highlighted challenges such as limited access to key filming locations, funding constraints, and bureaucratic bottlenecks, calling for stronger partnerships and modest government support to ease production processes.
Participants agreed that while Nigeria’s film industry continues to thrive nationally, Plateau State must address its unique challenges to reclaim its place in the sector. They expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and government collaboration would help revive Jos as a leading film destination for Northern Nigeria and beyond.
The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment by stakeholders to work collectively toward rebuilding Plateau State’s creative economy and restoring its historic role in Nigerian filmmaking.
