By Anthony Ada Abraham
There are moments in a filmmaker’s career when the significance of an invitation goes beyond the room in which it takes place.
For Nigerian actor, filmmaker and producer Uzee Usman, his recent invitation to engage students at Toronto Film School appears to be one of those moments.
Known for his work across Nollywood as an actor and producer, Usman stepped into an international classroom not merely as a film personality, but as a practitioner carrying years of experience, lessons and stories from one of Africa’s largest film industries.
His engagement with students from different countries offered an opportunity to discuss the realities of filmmaking, the importance of authentic storytelling and the journey of building a career within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving film industry.
It also presented a larger question: Can Nigerian stories become part of the global cinematic language without losing their identity?
For Usman, the answer appears to be yes.
“I Love Telling Realistic Stories”
Speaking to the students, Usman explained that one of the principles that continues to guide his work is his passion for telling stories that feel real.
“I love telling realistic stories.”
For a filmmaker with more than 40 films to his credit, the statement reflects a creative philosophy that places human experience at the centre of his work.
Rather than simply pursuing stories because they are commercially attractive, Usman has repeatedly emphasized the importance of narratives that reflect the realities, struggles, aspirations and experiences of ordinary people.
That approach is also central to his belief that Nigerian cinema can speak to international audiences.
The story may be Nigerian, he suggests, but the emotions can be universal.
A Bridge Between Nollywood and Hollywood
Perhaps the most significant message from his Toronto engagement was his desire to see stronger connections between Nollywood and Hollywood.
Usman believes there is room for greater exchange between the two industries—not only in terms of actors appearing in international productions, but through collaboration among producers, directors, writers, technicians and other creative professionals.
His ambition is to see Nigerian filmmakers move beyond simply exporting content to international audiences and become active participants in global film production.
“I want to bridge the gap between Nollywood and Hollywood.”
That vision comes at a time when Nigerian cinema continues to attract international audiences and streaming platforms increasingly seek stories from Africa.
For Usman, the next stage should involve collaboration: bringing Nigerian creativity and perspectives to international productions while creating opportunities for global filmmakers to work with Nigerian talent.
When Film Becomes an Instrument for Peace
Beyond the glamour associated with cinema, Usman has also attached a deeper responsibility to storytelling.
His advocacy for peace and greater understanding, particularly in Northern Nigeria and across the country, has become an important part of his creative outlook.
He believes filmmakers can address difficult realities without necessarily turning every story into a political argument.
Sometimes, he argues, simply allowing audiences to understand another person’s experience can begin to change perceptions.
“Peace can be advocated through storytelling. When people understand each other’s stories, they begin to understand each other.”
That philosophy gives his work another dimension.
For Usman, a film can entertain audiences while simultaneously encouraging empathy, opening conversations and helping people see beyond the headlines.
From Nollywood to Netflix
His growing international visibility has also been boosted by his role as Scourge in Netflix’s The Covenant.
The production introduced his performance to a broader audience and added another international dimension to a career built over years in Nollywood.
With the second season of The Covenant expected in November, attention is once again turning toward the production and Usman’s role in it.
But the Netflix exposure is only one part of a much bigger journey.
The Toronto Film School invitation came against the backdrop of his increasing international visibility and his presence around the recently concluded Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), bringing renewed attention to his career and creative philosophy.
From Actor to Industry Voice
What makes the Toronto engagement particularly significant is the perspective Usman brought into the classroom.
He was speaking not only as an actor who has appeared on screen, but as a filmmaker and producer who has been involved in more than 40 productions.
That experience allowed him to speak about filmmaking from multiple angles—from performance and production to storytelling and the realities of building a sustainable career in the industry.
For students preparing to enter an increasingly global film business, the Nigerian experience offers another perspective on how cinema can be created outside the traditional Hollywood system.
Usman’s message was therefore not simply about Nigeria.
It was about finding one’s voice, understanding one’s environment and developing stories strong enough to travel.
What Comes Next?
His appearance at Toronto Film School may ultimately prove to be more than a single international engagement.
It could become another step toward the kind of cross-border collaboration he has been advocating for.
A future in which Nigerian filmmakers work more closely with international studios, where Hollywood and Nollywood exchange talent and expertise, and where African stories are developed for audiences across continents.
For Usman, the journey appears to be moving in that direction.
After years of building his career in Nollywood, producing more than 40 films and gaining wider visibility through Netflix, he is now taking his experience into international classrooms and conversations.
And as he continues to advocate for peace through storytelling, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:
Uzee Usman is no longer telling Nigerian stories only for Nigerians. He is building a case for Nigerian stories to become part of the wider global cinematic conversation.
Anthony Ada Abraham is a journalist writes in from Abuja
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