By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association Nigeria, COSFAN, has pledged to institute endowment funds in perpetuity across Nigerian universities to support research in tertiary institutions.

The first endowment, worth N10 million, was unveiled at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, in honour of former UN Under-Secretary-General, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, for his contributions to national development.

COSFAN leaders noted at the event that in a world defined by complex conflicts and competing interests, the link between peace and development has never been more critical.

“Peace provides the essential foundation upon which all meaningful development must be built. Without security and stability, nations cannot attract investment, build infrastructure, educate their children, or provide healthcare for their citizens,” the association stated.

In his remarks, Professor Gambari said the gesture came at a critical time when the study and practice of peace and development is increasingly important.

“It’s a big honour for me and I’m truly delighted. For me, this is very timely. It’s a commitment to mentoring, to excellence and to encouraging particularly the youths to do their best in whatever it is and in their chosen profession.

“There’s no higher commitment than a profession that combines the study and the practice of peace and development in the country,” he said.

Professor Gambari also disclosed that the Angolan government had earlier honoured him for his role in restoring peace during the country’s civil war.

He thanked past and present presidents of COSFAN, as well as all contributors who made the occasion memorable.l

COSFAN President, Dr Ekundayo Samuel, and immediate past President, Dr Abiola Adimula, said the endowment was instituted to sustain Professor Gambari’s legacy in peace and development studies.

Chairman of COSFAN Board of Trustees, Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, said the association would sustain the initiative to promote research, peace and development across the country.

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Technology and Innovation, University of Ilorin, Professor Mukhtar Etudaye, described the endowment as “a move in the right direction”.

Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin, Professor Gbemisola Animashaun, called on Nigerians and philanthropists to support research work in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

COSFAN said it will replicate the endowment model in other universities to strengthen research capacity and advance scholarship in peace, security and development.

By Our Correspondent

Nigeria is well positioned to lead Africa’s digital and creative transformation, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said at the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos.Speaking at the opening of the summit, Ambassador Mignot said Nigeria’s youthful population, entrepreneurial energy and growing innovation ecosystem provide a strong foundation for digital transformation, innovation and economic growth.“The new economy, digital and creative, offers a fantastic opportunity,” he said, noting that young Nigerians are uniquely positioned to drive innovation because they are part of a generation that has grown up with digital tools and technologies.The summit brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers,

researchers, investors, creatives and development partners from across Africa and beyond to explore how technology, innovation and collaboration can accelerate economic growth and create opportunities for young people.Ambassador Mignot said the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as a strategic priority within their partnership and highlighted ongoing investments aimed at supporting the country’s digital transformation.“In Nigeria, the EU supports the entire digital value chain, from governance to infrastructure, from skills to entrepreneurship,” he said.He highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including a recently signed €45 million agreement between the European Union and Nigeria on digital development, support for the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country, the European Union’s contribution to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda, and support for the Three Million Technical Talent initiative.The Ambassador also pointed to programmes that support entrepreneurship, innovation and skills development, including the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ. The programme supports digital innovation, entrepreneurship and technology adoption among young Nigerians and businesses.He also highlighted the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, which helps connect young graduates with workplace opportunities and practical experience.German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, said:

“The future will not be built in silos. It will be built through cooperation across sectors, institutions and borders. The future will be connected.”She described Nigeria as home to one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems and said Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly shaping global trends in areas ranging from financial technology and artificial intelligence to agribusiness, health innovation, manufacturing and the creative industries.“Nigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,” she said.Ambassador Mignot said one of the strengths of Omniverse Africa is its ability to bring together the full innovation ecosystem in a single space.“Policymakers, founders, investors, creatives, researchers, development partners and business leaders are all here, all together,” he said.“Because Nigeria’s digital future will not be built in silos. Technology, creative industries, finance,

education, manufacturing, agriculture and public services are no longer separate worlds. They are converging.”He said the summit provides an opportunity to transform conversations into partnerships and ideas into practical solutions that can support inclusive and sustainable growth.“The future is connected, but connection must be turned into impact,” Ambassador Mignot said.“Let us connect innovators with investors, policy with practice, creativity with technology, and Nigerian talent with global opportunities.”The summit featured discussions on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, green technology, future skills, research collaboration and innovation financing, highlighting the growing role of partnerships in shaping Africa’s economic future.The European Union partnered with Omniverse Africa as part of its broader commitment to supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and youth opportunities in Nigeria and across the continent.

By Michael Agbaji

Diplomats from Team Europe have visited Kano Film Village to gain first-hand insight into how Kannywood is contributing to youth employment, education and economic opportunity across northern Nigeria, while also promoting positive social values through storytelling.

The delegation was led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, and included ambassadors and deputy heads of mission from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium and Austria.

The delegation was received by the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu.

During the visit, Team Europe met with filmmakers, actors, producers and regulators, and observed the production of Hindatu, a film that tells the story of a young girl determined to continue her education and pursue a career in medicine despite pressure from her family to marry at an early age.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Mignot emphasised the transformative power of storytelling and the creative arts.
“Stories have the power to inspire change.

Films that promote education, opportunity and inclusion can spark important conversations and encourage positive change within communities,” he said.

He added: “Creative industries are not only about culture. They are also about jobs, skills, entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young people.

Across Nigeria, young people are demonstrating remarkable talent and creativity, and industries such as Kannywood are helping transform that potential into livelihoods and economic opportunity.”

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, highlighted Kannywood’s role in promoting positive social values while creating opportunities for practitioners across the creative sector.

According to him, the Board has approved more than 10,000 films over the years and continues to support the industry through training programmes, workshops and stakeholder engagement.

“Our role is not only regulatory,” he said. “We also work with filmmakers to strengthen professional standards, support capacity development and ensure that films contribute positively to society.”

The delegation also toured Kano Film Village, a production facility developed by broadcaster and filmmaker Abdullaziz Dansmall.

The facility provides a dedicated environment where films can be produced efficiently and professionally.

“Our first major production was Gidang Haya. We used the revenue from that project to build little by little, expanding the facility over time,” Dansmall explained.

“Our long-term ambition is to transform the site into a fully developed film village capable of supporting larger productions.”

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu, underscored the economic importance of the industry, citing research which identified film production as the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture.

He noted that the industry’s impact extends far beyond entertainment, creating livelihoods and supporting businesses throughout the value chain.

Ali Nuhu also highlighted some of the challenges facing the sector, particularly in the areas of distribution and access to production facilities.

He observed that Kannywood has increasingly adapted to digital platforms and online distribution channels following the decline of traditional DVD markets.

The visit comes as the European Union expands its support for cultural cooperation between Africa and Europe through initiatives such as the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC), a €30 million programme that supports artist mobility, cultural spaces and collaboration between African and European creative professionals.

The initiative reflects the EU’s growing recognition of culture and creative industries as powerful drivers of economic opportunity, innovation and social development.