Final-year students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) premiered their short film, Survivor, on Tuesday, March 4, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by Nigerian youth.
The production, spearheaded by students of the Higher National Diploma (HND) 2 class, was part of their continuous assessment for the course Film Production (MAC 417), under the supervision of lecturer Mr. Femi Osuntoki.
Survivor follows the journey of two young workaholics, Jasmine and Victor, as they navigate economic hardship in Nigeria. Their paths cross at a digital skill acquisition program, and as they fall in love, their future seems promising. However, when Jasmine’s life takes an unexpected turn, Victor is forced to confront the brutal realities of survival.
The premiere, held at the NIJ hall in Ogba, Lagos, took place just a week after the trailer’s release. The film was shot over three days, with an entirely student-led cast and crew.
The lead roles were played by Amaka Chilaka (Jasmine) and Emmanuel Ashemiriogwa (Victor), alongside Cyril Osawe Destiny (Tega) and Jessica Onodugo (Stella). Other cast members included Treasure Uka-Mmadubuko, Opeyemi Akintola, and Grace Akinyemi.
Written and directed by Arinze Nwokedi, a student with professional experience in film production, Survivor was inspired by the financial struggles of young Nigerians. In an interview with NIJInsight, Nwokedi shared that the film aims to capture the constant battle for survival in the country.
Production manager Omowunmi Adetuberu described the filmmaking process as challenging. According to her, the team faced obstacles such as camera malfunctions and a stressful audition process, but in the end, the experience was rewarding.
While Nwokedi remained tight-lipped about the official release date, he confirmed that the film would be available on YouTube for public viewing soon.
Film production is one of the many hands-on broadcast training experiences offered at NIJ to equip students with diverse media skills. Previous classes have worked on documentaries and news packages, but the 2024/2025 finalists opted for a short film, a decision that has earned them praise from attendees of the premiere.
