After the cancellation of about four billion Naira proposed Kano Film Village following protests and concerns raised over morality issues, three North-central states have indicated their interest to host the investment.

The Federal government is reported to have cancelled the monumental investment following social media outcry and opposition from Muslim clerics in Kano State.

According to a top federal official involved in the project, who pleaded anonymity said that some commissioners from three North-Central states had reached out to the ministry for consideration.

The officer said that the ministry would wait for the directive from the Presidency before deciding on the next step to be taking after the purported suspension.

The official admitted that there was no official correspondence on the cancellation yet.

He official said: “We are surprised about the cancellation in the media and even more surprised that three states from the North-Central have so far indicated interest to host the National Film Village. We are waiting for further directive from the Presidency for any further action.”

The Economic Confidential gathered that the project which was to cost Federal Government about four billion naira was to be constructed on a 20-hectare film village and to be equipped with a cinematography centre, a 400-capacity auditorium for training, hostel, sound stage, eatery block, three-star hotel, shopping mall, stadium, clinic, Broadcasting Studios and accommodation for staffs.

The government and other promoters of the project had argued that the village would create thousands of job opportunities, promote cultural activities, boost the advertisement industry by production of first-rate commercials and attract tourism to the ancient city of Kano.

The Nigerian government had planned the establishment of film village in Kano, with the aim to create jobs and bring local films to high standard through a structure that would be modeled after similar film centers in China and India.