Jameel Nafseen

Jameel Nafseen is a highly sought-after Nigerian screenwriter, director, producer, and actor. He stands out as one of the few prominent Kannywood (Hausa-language) creatives whose scriptwriting talent crossed over into mainstream southern Nollywood productions. He began his creative journey writing Hausa romance novellas (frequently known as Kano Market Literature). His first major transition to film happened when his book Zama da Madaukin Kanwa was adapted into a screen project. He penned the screenplay for several monumental Kannywood blockbusters, including Mansoor (2017)—which launched Maryam Yahaya's career—as well as Halacci (2015) and Halimatus Sadiya (2019). He serves as the Founder and Chief Executive of Nafseen International Film Production & Multimedia Limited, producing documentaries, digital content, and feature films. He regularly scripts and directs massive regional projects, including Malamata, Baiko, Seluba, and the collaborative 2026 short film Dammy and Aody. He openly defends northern cinema, publicly challenging critics by noting that Kannywood storylines transcend basic romance to address deeper institutional and social dynamics like marriage and culture.