Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged federal government support for Mai Martaba, Nigeria’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Vice President assured access to the $618 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme (iDICE) to bolster the nation’s creative industry.

Speaking 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 on Thursday, Shettima expressed optimism about the film’s prospects. “It’s a good day to be a Nigerian,” he remarked, underscoring the unifying power of cinema.

“We will make sure that the kaleidoscope representing all the colours of our nation is carried along. Let’s fuse into one and support this project. There is more that binds than divides us,” Shettima said, urging collective national backing. He tasked the Minister to lead the campaign to mobilize resources for Nigeria’s Oscar bid, adding, “By the end of the century, Nigeria will be the most populous nation on earth. There is beauty in numbers. I want to reiterate my unflinching support for us to get the Oscars.”

Mai Martaba, directed by Prince Daniel, delves into themes of power, love, and female leadership in an ancient African kingdom. It is positioned as a cultural touchstone for Nigeria’s burgeoning creative sector.

Highlighting efforts to strengthen the industry, Musawa revealed collaborations with South Korea, the UK, Japan, China, and France to establish co-production agreements. “We are working with investors committed to building the creative industry. We hope to establish a media city—a one-stop shop for nine sectors across the entire industry,” she stated.

Musawa also addressed funding challenges, noting the lack of infrastructure for producing world-class films. She emphasized the untapped potential of grassroots content creators, saying, “Every Nigerian, even in rural settings, has the ability to create content on their phone and empower themselves for decent job futures.”

Prince Daniel, the film’s director, highlighted the economic impact of the creative industry, citing its growing contribution to Nigeria’s GDP. “Broadcasting alone contributes more to GDP than oil, reaching 12.3%. The creative industry is outpacing oil and mining. We’ve created over 500 jobs and are excited to aim for the next Oscars,” he said.

Daniel also emphasized the importance of federal government backing, likening Nigeria’s Oscar ambitions to South Africa’s success with Tsotsi, which won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2006. “That win transformed their industry. Today, no part of Africa compares to South Africa in the creative sector,” he said.

Stephanie Linus, Chairperson of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Oscars, hailed the significance of Nigeria’s participation. “This isn’t just about international recognition. The Oscars represent the biggest platform for celebrating cinema. We need to build our presence on the global stage now, not in one or two years,” she stressed

As Mai Martaba embarks on its Oscar journey, stakeholders hope it will not only enhance Nigeria’s global cultural standing but also catalyze further investment in the nation’s creative economy.