National Film Institute (NFI) Jos

Overview

The National Film Institute (NFI) in Jos, Plateau State, is Nigeria's premier government film training institution. Established in 1995 under the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), NFI trains professionals for Nollywood and the broader African screen industry. The institute is accredited by CILECT (International Association of Film and Television Schools), the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Nollywood produces over 2,500 films annually, making Nigeria the second-largest film producer by volume worldwide. Despite this scale, formal film education in Nigeria remains limited. NFI addresses this gap with structured programs in directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, sound, animation, digital media, and emerging technologies. The institute operates from its British America Campus in Jos and offers a Bachelor's degree, a two-year diploma, a joint Master's program, and short certificate courses.

In July 2026, the NFC and Bank of Industry announced a strategic partnership under the iDICE (Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises) initiative to upgrade NFI into a global training hub and establish a Public Private Partnership film studio. Professor Pomak Frank Tengya was appointed Rector effective March 2026. If you are considering film training in West Africa, review the NFI admissions page for current program availability and fees.

Programs Offered

NFI offers programs across degree, diploma, and certificate levels, all accredited by Nigerian regulatory bodies.

Degree Programs:

• Bachelor in Film Arts - a degree program combining film theory with practical training in creative and technical filmmaking, offered in affiliation with the University of Jos
• Master's in Film Culture and Archival Studies - a joint postgraduate degree focused on film preservation, archival theory, and cultural heritage, developed in partnership with international archives

Diploma Programs:

• Diploma in Film Production - a two-year diploma providing hands-on training in cinematography, directing, editing, sound, lighting, and production

Certificate Courses:

• Six-Week Proficiency Certificate Course - short-term practical training in disciplines including digital still photography, cinematography, animation, film and video editing, script writing, directing and acting, lighting for the screen, make-up, and sound production. Course fee: ₦80,000. Next session: October 27 to December 5, 2025, at the NFI British America Campus, Jos.
• Intensive Certificate Programs - specialized multi-week courses ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 depending on course length and specialization
• Extended Diploma Programs - intensive multi-week programs at ₦350,000 and above

Tuition and Fees

NFI is a government-subsidized institution, making it one of the most affordable film training options in Nigeria and West Africa.

Degree and diploma tuition rates are set in consultation with the NUC and University of Jos. Prospective students should contact NFI directly for current degree program fees, as these vary by academic year and may include additional charges for materials and equipment use.

For international students, NFI's fees are substantially lower than private film schools in Lagos or abroad. The cost of living in Jos is also lower than in Lagos or Abuja, with affordable accommodation available near the British America Campus.

Industry Context and Career Outcomes

NFI graduates enter an industry with enormous demand for skilled professionals. Nigeria's film sector contributes approximately $660 million annually to GDP and employs over 1 million people. International platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube are investing heavily in Nigerian content, raising production standards and creating demand for formally trained crew.

NFI reports that 2,553 individuals received training through its faculties in recent years, with an additional 5,128 trained through NFC Consultancy Services. Graduates work in editing, production management, camera operations, directing, and acting across Nollywood and the broader Nigerian creative economy.

The Nigerian Film Corporation, under Managing Director Dr. Ali Nuhu, is implementing a Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025-2030) for the Nigerian film industry. This plan includes upgrading NFI's academic programs to match global standards, expanding bilateral and multilateral infrastructure partnerships, and developing the National Film Video Sound Archive in Jos as the national repository for audiovisual heritage.

Facilities and Equipment

NFI operates from the British America Campus in Jos, which includes classroom facilities, production spaces, and equipment for student projects. The institute provides hands-on training with professional camera, lighting, and sound equipment, though specific gear inventory is not publicly cataloged.

Under the iDICE initiative, NFI is slated for infrastructure upgrades including:

• Modernized production facilities and soundstages
• Updated digital filmmaking equipment
• A proposed PPP film studio adjacent to the campus
• Enhanced post-production suites

The iDICE program, financed through the African Development Bank, aims to transform NFI into a leading film education and production hub serving West Africa.

What Students Should Know

NFI teaches in English, reflecting Nigeria's official language. The institute attracts students from across Nigeria's diverse cultural and linguistic landscape and increasingly from other West African countries.

Jos is located in central Nigeria, providing a focused academic environment away from the commercial pressures of Lagos. The city's temperate climate and cultural diversity support creative work. However, students should research current security conditions in Plateau State before relocating.

NFI's greatest challenge is scale. Nollywood's rapid growth has outpaced the development of formal training infrastructure. Equipment availability and facility maintenance can be inconsistent, and students may need to supplement their training with additional workshops or on-set experience. The iDICE upgrade initiative is expected to address these limitations, but the timeline for infrastructure improvements extends into 2027 and beyond.

Students who graduate from NFI enter an industry where formal training remains rare, giving them a competitive advantage. The combination of NFI's affordability, government accreditation, and CILECT membership makes it a practical entry point for filmmakers who want formal education without the cost of private institutions or study abroad.

Notable Alumni

NFI alumni work across Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry in roles including directing, cinematography, editing, production management, and acting. The institute has trained thousands of professionals since 1995, contributing to the professionalization of Africa's largest film production sector. Specific alumni names are not widely publicized, but NFI graduates have worked on productions distributed by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Nigerian cinema chains.

See Also

For understanding African cinema markets and distribution, see International Film Markets. To plan your production budget, use the Production Budget Calculator. For filmmaking terminology, visit the Filmmaker Glossary. For information on African film awards, see Africa Movie Academy Awards.