Follow Us on Google
By Zika Bobby
For decades, the narrative of the Niger Delta has been strictly etched in crude oil, industrial infrastructure, and political maneuverings. Today, a quiet revolution is taking root in the heart of Rivers State, aiming to displace black gold with creative storytelling. At the center of this transformation stands Elder Wisdom Isaac, a seasoned oil, gas, and real estate businessman turned film entrepreneur, whose vision is positioned to decentralise Nigeria’s media industry away from its traditional epicenters in Lagos and Abuja.
As the founder and mastermind behind Wisdom Isaac Media Production (WIMPRO), Isaac is orchestrating an ambitious push to convert the Niger Delta into Nollywood’s next major hub of technical talent, practical education, and world-class production infrastructure.
The inauguration of WIMPRO International Film Academy in the GRA area of Port Harcourt marked a watershed moment for the regional creative economy. The launch gathered top government officials, industrial leaders, and Nollywood royalty, including the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, representatives of the Rivers State governor, and various heads of creative guilds and government agencies.
Reflecting on the heavyweight support, Isaac emphasised that the gathering served as institutional validation for an initiative designed to solve systemic gaps in the media ecosystem.
“From the minister to the governor of Rivers State, who sent a representative, to the guild heads in Nollywood and heads of government agencies at both state and national levels, I value their support and presence. It is confirmation that our mission to boost capacity in the film industry is a step in the right direction. They all inspected our facilities for hands-on training, and they were impressed by our level of preparedness. WIMPRO Academy is out to make the Niger Delta the hub of manpower development in the film industry, he said.
Isaac’s transition into media wasn’t merely a commercial pivot—it was born out of firsthand technical friction. Despite his extensive background in traditional business sectors, his passion for cultural arts—literature, music, and spirituality—led him to produce Creek, a feature film exploring authentic Niger Delta realities. During production, Isaac encountered an acute shortage of specialised crew members, particularly on the technical side of the lens.
“When I produced my first film, Creek, last year, I experienced a scarcity of top-quality creatives, especially on the technical side of filmmaking – editors, cinematographers, and lighting designers. As someone who thinks more about the industry ecosystem than splintered segments of it, I decided to start a film school to fill that gap, particularly in the Niger Delta region. Our goal is to provide top-quality, hands-on training designed and taught by international experts in various aspects of filmmaking for our teeming youth and local populace.”
Addressing the contrast between traditional academic study and specialized trade skills, Isaac noted that while university degrees in Mass Communication or Theatre Arts offer broader theoretical foundations, modern filmmaking demands hyper-focused vocational training.
“No course prepares you for a career in filmmaking better than those taught in film schools. I believe, therefore, that with a foundational degree in any field, aspiring filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs should put themselves through film school to master both the art and craft of filmmaking—from writing to directing, and from editing to monetizing.”
For a world-class infrastructure and global strategic alliances, he said
to execute this vision, WIMPRO has developed a purpose-built infrastructure inside Port Harcourt, backing practical instruction with high-end production hardware:
Campus Capacity: Air-conditioned facilities hosting over 500 students, alongside a 200-capacity residential hostel for non-resident trainees.
Production Units: A fully equipped sound stage, screening theater, dedicated actors’ studio, and a 25-unit editing suite running modern software/hardware configurations.
Gear Inventory: Complete camera line-ups ranging from compact DSLRs to full-spec ARRI and RED cinema platforms, backed by commercial lighting setups capable of handling multiple concurrent shoots.
He said beyond physical hardware, WIMPRO’s strategic edge relies heavily on its leadership and academic ties. “The academy’s faculty is led by Rector Dr. Obi Emelonye—a veteran UK-based Nigerian filmmaker—alongside international instructors spanning the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Africa. The academy’s curriculum was co-designed alongside Prof. Osy Okagbue of Goldsmiths, University of London, establishing an international progression pathway for graduates.
“Our curriculum has been designed in conjunction with Goldsmiths, University of London, a UK institution of excellence that will ultimately accredit our certificates. This means local students can study at WIMPRO International Film Academy and earn UK-accredited certificates. If they wish to further their education in the UK, Goldsmiths will offer them credit for the courses completed with us. No other Nigerian film school offers this unique opportunity, and we take great pride in maintaining UK standards in our teaching, staffing, and facilities.”
He said the curriculum at WIMPRO goes beyond traditional cinema mechanics to address modern media demands. Modules covering Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital content creation, and multi-platform monetisation are integrated directly into hands-on coursework to equip students for today’s creator economy.
“To ensure talented storytellers aren’t shut out by financial constraints, WIMPRO—which holds National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) accreditation—is pairing private industry partnerships with corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“WIMPRO International Film Academy was not conceived principally as a profit-making organization. Our social responsibility ethos is reflected in the pricing of our programs, meaning that despite their quality, our fees compare favorably with any film school in Nigeria. I am personally offering full scholarships to a number of deserving students. In partnership with Airtel, Wema Bank, the NDDC, and Niger Delta state governments, WIMPRO International Film Academy is able to offer subsidised fees to make training affordable to the wider public, regardless of social or economic status.”
Decentralizing Nigeria’s creative heartland, Isaac said while initial advisors urged him to establish the academy in Lagos—the established epicenter of Nollywood, but that he remained steadfast in siting the institution in Port Harcourt.
For Isaac, building locally is a deliberate strategy to retain talent, create employment, and offer alternative economic pathways for youth in the Niger Delta.
“My hope is that the people of the Niger Delta will embrace this opportunity and elevate their skillsets to match and exceed what is obtainable in Lagos and Abuja.”
With an overflowing list of applicants for its inaugural cohort, direct production absorption through WIMPRO’s internal feature projects, and fast-track guild access for its graduates, Isaac’s blueprint offers more than film education—it establishes an enduring alternative economy for the Niger Delta.
Cap: Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa at the unveiling in Port Harcourt.
