Why Open University targets youth in film production

A new degree programme in film production introduced by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) will be best suited to young secondary school leavers than the professionals currently in the industry, the vice-chancellor, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, has said. Prof Adamu said the programme, recently approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), aims to […]

A new degree programme in film production introduced by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) will be best suited to young secondary school leavers than the professionals currently in the industry, the vice-chancellor, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, has said.

Prof Adamu said the programme, recently approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), aims to stem the present trend of film production that depicts Western way of life while relegating local cultures and values.

 In a radio interview recently, the vice-chancellor attributed the poor showing of both Nollywood and Kannywood movies in global considerations to the unfortunate trend, which the degree programme intends to address.

Adamu said, “What motivated us is that there was a time we were travelling all over the globe to hear about Hausa films. To be honest, most audiences don’t regard our films positively.”

Adamu said at many instances, university lecturers teaching Hausa language in Europe encountered the challenge of persuading their students of Hausa films’ originality, which they find un-applicable to the real culture of the tribe.

Adamu, a professor of Cultural Communication and Media Studies, explained why NOUN envisions having more interested applicants from amongst the youth than the professional adults.

“On our part, we have made public the criteria/requirement for enrolment. But, as I said, our thinking is that a junior secondary school student, going into senior level is our target. First of all, our university needs no JAMB, which means you don’t have to sit again for Post-UTME,” he said.