Story will revive women’s education as northern tradition, foster peace, unity in Nigeria, says film producer
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment have given their official command and endorsement, respectively, to Script Plus Limited to proceed with the production of a film project on the life and legacy of Princess Nana Asma’u, a renowned 19th-century Muslim scholar, poet, and educator.
The film is designed to celebrate the scholarly contributions of Princess Nana Asma’u, daughter of the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, Usman dan Fodio, to education, women empowerment, and Islamic scholarship, even as it is anticipated to be a vital resource for promoting cultural understanding unity, peace, and national cohesion across Nigeria.
In a letter dated November 21, 2025, the Sultan of Sokoto, through the Secretary of the Sultanate Council, Sa’idu Muhammadu Maccido (Danburam Sokoto), conveyed the Council’s command and authorization for the film project led by the Executive Producer, Hajiya Rahma Abdulmajid, who is also the Personal Assistant to the President on Radio and Broadcast (Office of the Vice President).
“We are glad that you have undertaken to produce a film on Nana Asma’u bnt. Usman bn. Fodio, for many, the epitome of Muslim Women in Africa… The Sultanate Council hereby conveys its endorsement for this project and authorizes you to commence as you requested,” the letter stated.
The Council also requested periodic briefings and participation in the final review of the film before its premiere.
For its part, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, through its Commercial Law Department, issued a certified letter of acceptance for the project’s trademark application, confirming its official backing.
Shedding some light on the project, the film’s Executive Producer, Hajiya Rahma Abdulmajid, explained that the project’s vision extends beyond the North, as its rich cultural heritage would foster unity and promote peace across Nigeria.
“This is an important story of leadership, faith, and knowledge that belongs to all Nigerians. By showcasing the intellectual and moral foundation laid by figures like Nana Asma’u, we aim to leverage this rich cultural heritage to foster unity and promote peace between the Hausa-Fulani and other ethnic groups across the North and the entire nation.
“Her legacy is a testament to the fact that shared values in education and character development can be a powerful force for national cohesion,” she stated.
On why telling the story of Princess Nana Asma’u is crucial to women’s education in northern Nigeria, Hajiya Rahma Abdulmajid maintained that her life and legacy are essential to showcasing the importance of education for women as a tradition in the region.
“Nana Asma’u’s life provides irrefutable historical evidence that education for women is deeply rooted in the culture and religious values of Northern Nigeria, not a foreign imposition,” she noted.
The presidential aide stressed that her goal is to challenge the misconception that formal learning, particularly for women, is a modern, Western concept at odds with local traditions, just as she recalled that Nana Asma’u’s educational efforts were about cultivating good character and religious practice.
“By showing how Nana Asma’u’s educational efforts empowered women, we implicitly highlight the debilitating consequences of a lack of learning, such as social vulnerability, religious malpractice, extremism, and political exploitation.
“Nana Asma’u is the perfect historical mirror to reflect the truth: educating Northern Nigerian women is a revival of their own cultural and religious tradition, not a deviation from it,” Hajiya Rahma Abdulmajid further emphasized.