By Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s cinematic and cultural heritage by enhancing its human resource capabilities. This was demonstrated through the successful hosting of a transformative and intensive training workshop in Jos, Plateau State.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Brian Etuk, NFC’s Director of Public Affairs, the workshop titled “Preservation of Audiovisual Materials and Archival Practices” was held from April 1st to 11th, 2025, at the National Film, Video and Sound Archive (NFVSA) – Jos. The training equipped participants with advanced skills in film handling, scanning, digitization, archive management, and cataloging. It emphasized the adoption of global best practices in the restoration and preservation of fragile audiovisual materials.
During an assessment visit, Dr. Ali Nuhu, Managing Director/Chief Executive of NFC, emphasized the critical importance of preserving Nigeria’s audiovisual history. “Nigeria cannot afford to lose any of her vintage audiovisual records currently secured at the NFVSA in Jos,” he said. “NFC remains fully committed not only to preserving but also protecting the nation’s heritage.”
Dr. Nuhu commended the Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Arts (Berlin, Germany), Deutsche Filminstitut & Filmmuseum (Frankfurt, Germany), Goethe University Frankfurt, and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for organizing and supporting the training series. He hailed the ongoing partnership with NFC as pivotal in positioning Nigeria as a global cinematic hub.
He further noted the Federal Government’s strong support in empowering the NFVSA as the country’s premier repository of audiovisual heritage. Dr. Nuhu, represented by Mr. Edmund Peters, Director of Film Industry Support & Production Services, charged the trainees to apply their newly acquired skills to revitalizing and safeguarding Nigeria’s rich audiovisual assets.
Participants included staff from NFVSA, postgraduate students from the Master’s Programme in Film Culture & Archiving Studies, lecturers from the National Film Institute (NFI) Jos, students and faculty from the University of Jos, and professionals in film archiving.
Lead facilitators—Alo Paistik of Goethe University, Markus Ruff, and Lisabona Rahman of the Arsenal Institute—praised NFC’s proactive approach. “Engaging with NFC’s dedicated staff and other participants has been immensely rewarding. We are confident the skills shared will drive transformative progress in Nigeria’s archival and restoration efforts,” they noted.
The University of Jos, represented by Professors Husseni Tsaku and Nancy King (present and former Heads of the Theatre & Film Arts Department), also commended NFC and its partners for prioritizing archival excellence. They lauded the impact of the workshop on strengthening the university’s Master’s Programme in Film Culture and Archiving Studies.
At the certificate presentation ceremony held on Friday, April 11, 2025, participants expressed readiness to apply their new skills toward enhancing Nigeria’s archival capacity. “This workshop has reshaped our approach to archival practices. We are now better equipped to protect Nigeria’s audiovisual heritage,” said Mallam Idi Jimpy, a participant.
Now in its fifth edition, the Preservation of Audiovisual Materials and Archival Practices workshop continues to play a vital role in building the professional capacity of Nigeria’s archivists, empowering them to protect the nation’s cultural legacy.
