Life goes beyond just being educated – Nuhu Abdullahi

Daily Trust: What was your childhood like? Nuhu Abdullahi: I was born in Lagos State but had my primary and part of secondary schools education in Kebbi State. I later moved to Kano State where I concluded my secondary school studies at the Kano Teachers College (KTC). I later proceeded to Kano State College of […]

Daily Trust: What was your childhood like?

Nuhu Abdullahi: I was born in Lagos State but had my primary and part of secondary schools education in Kebbi State. I later moved to Kano State where I concluded my secondary school studies at the Kano Teachers College (KTC). I later proceeded to Kano State College of Art, Science and Remedial Studies where I obtained a diploma in English and Hausa education. I also studied Mass Communication at the Aminu Kano College of Legal Studies Kano. I attended North-West University for a diploma in Film and TV production; and presently I am an undergraduate of Bayero University Kano where I am pursuing a degree programme in Education.

I was so keen on getting educated because apart from being my family’s wish, I had always dreamed of acquiring both western and Islamic knowledge. My parents encouraged me though, and from a tender age, I realized that with knowledge the sky is the limit in whatever one decides to engage in.

DT: How did you get involved with Kannywood?

Abdullahi: Later in life, I realized that life goes beyond just being educated and it dawned on me that there is a need to devise a means of becoming responsible and responsive to my needs through being independent.

However, on many occasions, I have been told that I can earn a living through making movies because of the way I feel emotionally attached while watching movies. At a stage, I decided to try the industry; so I sourced for fund and started as a producer. With my lean funds, I produced my first movie ‘Fulanin Asali’, but it became a hit and gave me the needed push. I went ahead to produce another hit movie ‘Mujarrabi’ and then ‘Kuskurena’.

I ventured into the movie industry as a businessman who had invested in the sector and who expected to get profit on his investment. Along the line, I met with one of Kannywood’s best movie directors who told me I possess some acting skills. He advised me to start acting, as according to him I should not restrict myself to movie production alone. I told him that I have to seek my family’s consent first, and luckily, it was granted. 

DT: What challenges did you face combining producing and acting?

Abdullahi: I have not encountered many challenges though they are two different aspects of movie production. First as an actor, I did not find it very difficult because I was under the watchful eyes of one of the best Hausa movie directors of our time Malam Aminu Saira, and secondly I was a producer even before meeting Aminu Saira.

However, the main challenge was when I was on set for the first time as an actor. I kept asking myself ‘are you sure you can do this?’ I was a bit confused because my role was a major one in the movie ‘As’habul-Kahfi’. I played the role of Tamlika, son of the King of Baihan, and to God be the glory we did it successfully.

DT: When did you experience your breakthrough as an actor?

Abdullahi: I believe the movie As’habul-Kahfi was a stepping-stone to my breakthrough in the Hausa movie industry as an actor. It was after the movie that I started getting offers of roles in different movies. Many told me that they appreciated my acting capabilities and would want me to star in their movies.

That was how I got the lead role in my breakthrough movie KaninMiji. I also got roles in movies like Gaba da gabanta, Farin Dare, GidanSoja, A bakinaurenki and lots of others. I have been offered about thirteen movie roles after As’habul-Kahfi, which were all said to be movies with high expectations. I played the lead role in ‘A bakinaurenki’ and ‘Zumako Madaci’. ‘Wata Mafita’ is my latest movie due to be released soon.

DT: What’s your relationship with actress Fati Washa?

Abdullahi: It was once reported that I wanted to marry actress Fati Washa or that we were having an affair. Whatever it was, the actual issue here is that I respect her as an actress who really knows her onions in the industry. Fati is one of the most disciplined actresses I have worked with; she respects everyone and does what she is told to do. Though we are not in a relationship, I do like her a lot.

DT: What’s your view on critics?

Abdullahi: I believe criticism, if done objectively, is a positive way of tasking us to put more effort in what we do. However, I personally believe that if you are engaged in something that you believe is worth doing and you find out that no one cares to even look at what you were doing; I guess to abandon that thing would probably be the nicest idea.

DT: Can you describe your life style? 

Abdullahi: I love being myself, as a free-minded individual who loves what his religion wants and detests what his religion detests. I am still single and searching, I would love to have a God fearing and straightforward girl as a wife who will be with me for who I am and not for what I am.

DT: What’s your future plan for Kannywood? 

Abdullahi: My plan is to produce a world class Hausa movie that can be showcased anywhere in the world – a movie that will meet all criteria.