AMP National President Visits Plateau, Hosts Intimate Dinner with State Chapter
It was a moment of pride and renewed hope for the creative industry in Plateau State as the National President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP), Ambassador Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson, paid a three-day official visit to Jos from February 19–21, 2026.
Hosted by the Plateau State Chapter of AMP, the visit was marked by strategic meetings, stakeholder engagements, and a warm, intimate dinner held in her honour yesterday evening. The atmosphere was relaxed yet purposeful a gathering of filmmakers, producers, and creative stakeholders united by a shared vision: repositioning Plateau as a thriving hub for filmmaking.
“I Am Not a Ghost” Why the Visit Matters
In her remarks, Ambassador Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson explained that her visit was part of a broader effort to connect directly with members across Nigeria’s 28 state chapters.
“As National President, I believe phone calls and messages are not always enough. When you meet people face to face, you connect on a deeper level. I want my members to know that I am not a ghost. I am present and accessible.”
Before arriving in Plateau, she had spent four days in Benue State engaging members, meeting with government parastatals, and appearing on Benue TV to discuss challenges facing filmmakers. Plateau, being close by, became the next stop in her nationwide courtesy visits.
According to her, some of the issues raised during the Plateau meetings had never surfaced during online interactions further reinforcing her belief that physical engagement fosters openness and inclusion.
Leadership, Loss, and Responsibility
Reflecting on her journey to the presidency, she recounted stepping into leadership following the passing of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, MFR, of blessed memory. As Vice President at the time, she completed the remaining one and a half years of the tenure before contesting and winning a four-year term. She has now completed one year of that mandate.
Among the major challenges she identified are inclusion, distribution access, and training.
To address these, AMP has:
- Engaged distribution platforms to secure more slots for members’ films.
- Organized training sessions, with more underway.
- Initiated international partnerships, including collaborations with producers in San Francisco and other parts of the United States, to train Nigerian filmmakers on Artificial Intelligence and emerging tools in filmmaking.
“The world is evolving, and filmmaking is changing. We don’t want our members to be left behind,” she emphasized.
She also acknowledged the personal sacrifices leadership demands. Running AMP, though not a paid position, is a full-time responsibility one that has required her to scale back attention on some of her private businesses.
“I chose to run for this office, so I cannot complain. If the kitchen becomes too hot, I will step out. But for now, I am holding up.”
A recurring theme throughout her visit was collaboration.
She urged producers to embrace joint ventures rather than bearing financial risks alone. Using a hypothetical example, she explained that five producers could each contribute ₦20 million toward a ₦100 million film, sharing both risk and profit.
“In Nigeria, we are not very strong in collaboration. Sometimes we think if we share the glory, the applause won’t be as loud. I disagree. When you collaborate, the applause is amplified.”
Drawing parallels with Hollywood productions that list multiple producers in their credits, she stressed that collective effort is one of the reasons international film industries thrive.
For the Plateau State Chapter, the visit was more than ceremonial it was strategic.
Lonny John Lugnan, Vice Chairman of AMP Plateau, described the moment as highly significant.
“This gives us the opportunity to engage directly and explore how producers across the country can leverage better opportunities for growth and development.”
Both he and the State Chapter Chairman, Mr. Edward Pam, highlighted perception as one of their greatest challenges. For years, Plateau has been portrayed as crisis-prone, discouraging filmmakers and investors.
However, they acknowledged the efforts of the Executive Governor of Plateau State in improving security and restoring stability. Mr. Pam noted that incidents of insurgency and kidnapping have significantly reduced, and Jos is becoming safer and more stable.
The National President herself testified to this shift, having traveled by road from Benue to Plateau without incident.
“When I leave here, I will speak positively about Plateau State,” she assured. “What we often see on social media does not always reflect the reality on ground.”
A central focus of discussions was financing and government support.
Film production is capital-intensive. Even a low-budget film employs 8–10 crew members; a standard production may require over 20, while larger projects can engage 50–70 people. Multiply that by dozens of simultaneous productions, and the impact on employment becomes substantial.
“The creative industry is one of the highest employers of labor after agriculture,” she said. “We can lift millions out of poverty if supported properly.”
The Plateau chapter is advocating for grants and policy support to enable producers to tell authentic stories that promote tourism, culture, and peace. With over 50 ethnic groups, Plateau State holds a wealth of untold stories waiting to be brought to life on screen.
There is optimism. Recent engagements with the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Hon. Cornelius, signaled government willingness to reposition Plateau as a filmmaking destination.
Yesterday’s dinner was more than a social gathering it symbolized unity across sectors of the creative industry. Producers, actors, comedians, scriptwriters, and editors came together under one umbrella.
Goodwill messages reflected excitement and renewed commitment. Stakeholders expressed confidence that under the current leadership, AMP Plateau would grow stronger and more influential.
Ambassador Ebigieson, visibly touched by the warmth of her reception, remarked:
“Plateau feels like home to me. The last time I was here was about 26 years ago. I have always cherished this place.”
Her vision is clear—to see Plateau regain its former glory as a hub for filmmaking.
With improved security, government engagement, strategic collaboration, and a united creative community, that vision may be closer than ever.
As the visit continues to spark conversations and partnerships, one thing is evident: the narrative of Plateau is shiftingand filmmakers are determined to tell it themselves.
