Isma’ila Umar Muhammad is one of the Hausa film producers making waves recently. He is seen as the highest investor in the industry and in this interview, Isma’ila talks about his upcoming project and plans to produce films that will make it to Netflix.
Tell us a little about your background
My name is Ismail Umar Muhammed. I was born into a Fulani Muslim family on February 2, 1989 at Jingre, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. My mother Hajiya Khadija asim Bima was a director at the Central Bank of Nigeria and I was the second born of the family. My father Alhaji Umar Muhammed was a businessman dealing in different commodities and grains. I guess I took my business inclination from him.
I had my early education at Jingre Primary School from 1996 to 2002, then Government College Jingre, from my first year in Junior Secondary School (JSS1) to my first year in Senior Secondary. I was transferred to University Quarters, University of Jos and completed my secondary education in 2008. I am a holder of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the National Open University, Jos (NOUN) in 2015 with Second Class Upper Division.
How did you venture into the business of filmmaking?
My contact with filmmaking didn’t begin till after my growth as a businessman. Before Al-Ismai’il Trading and General Merchants Ltd was established as a small trading firm in 2000, I was a young entrepreneur working under my uncle Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Yaro. He was the Chief Executive Officer of AMYCO TRUST NIG, Ltd and I served as his manager with its largest warehouse at Tilden Fulani, Toro LGA of Bauchi State.
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From there, I gathered more experience and customers while working as a manager. As the business progressed, more ideas came to my mind, I decided to establish my own business, having worked for years for my uncle. I trained more good hands who would take over from me as I planned my exit.
I contacted my mother on the idea and she gave me her blessings, coupled with a huge capital to start. With her blessings and capital, I ventured into the cement business. The blessings from my caring mother followed me and I excelled in the business world, and today, I have grown to diversify my business with more branches in different states.
I later ventured into filmmaking as a producer, to date I have several Hausa films to my credit. My involvement with the industry has opened my eyes to the opportunities attached to the industry as a business entity and also as an avenue to promote culture and tradition of the Hausa people.
How did you get yourself involved in the industry?
It all happened like a dream. I met Kannywood ace actor Ali Nuhu when I wanted to contract him for an advert I wanted him to do for one of my companies. I forgot to mention, I was into Dangote cement and other Dangote products. Within the short period I interacted with him, I became impressed with his attitude and the manner he conducted himself.
So, after our business interaction, we became friends and when I said friends, I mean best of friends. However, some of Ali Nuhu’s boys also became close to me and in my bid to make them happy, I decided to produce a film and use them in the production as a way of appreciating their good gesture and conduct. That was how I began my journey in the filmmaking business. I initially started to assist those in the business, but I later realized that filmmaking is a reliable business that can sustain and improve someone’s life, that was how I ventured into film producing fully.
Did your perception of the industry change after venturing into it?
As I have mentioned earlier, I never knew there were a lot of opportunities in the industry till after I joined. I came to realise that after being custodians of norms and values of a particular set of people. Before becoming a producer, I thought filmmaking was just a hobby but after joining, I realised that it is an entity of its own with several business opportunities.
However, with the cordial relationship between myself, Ali Nuhu and others, I have become convinced that the industry has a lot to offer and we have the needed team to produce what Nigeria would be proud of. I have made a commitment to invest whatever it takes to produce films that will meet up the standard of Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming platforms.
Can you tell us some of the films you produced?
I have produced films like Babban Tawaga in 2021, Sabon Salo in 2022, Ummita in 2022, Darasi in 2023, among others.
I have also produced several songs that have or are still making waves in the entertainment industry such as, 4 episodes of Yamu Baba Angon Sambisa in 2022, Ke Daya and Ina Son Ki all by ace singer Hamisu Breaker, Big show song and Kibar Kuka by Umar M Sharif in 2022, among other songs.
What is your dream in Kannywood?
I have made a resolve to spend huge sum of money in producing films that will successfully make it to Netflix and Amazon Prime. I strongly believe that Kannywood has the potential and the skills to produce such films. This is my dream and I am working towards that soon.
Are you married?
Yes, I am married to two wives and I have three kids.
