President of the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MOPPAN, Alhaji Umar Maikudi Cashman, is dead.
A statement signed by Makama Sani Mu’azu, Chairman BoT MOPPAN, on Thursday May 22, 2025, said Maikudi died in Zaria, Kaduna State after a prolonged illness.
The message reads in part, “It is with profound sadness that the Board of Trustees (BoT) of MOPPAN announces the passing of our President, Alhaji Umar Maikudi Cashman, after a prolonged illness in Zaria.
“Alhaji Maikudi’s leadership and dedication to MOPPAN were exemplary. Elected with a landslide victory at the Lafiya convention, he had a vision for the Association’s growth and development. His commitment and passion will be deeply missed.
“We appreciate his years of service on the Executive Committee, working alongside notable leaders and representing MOPPAN at various events. His selflessness and dedication to the Association’s goals were truly commendable.”
MOPPAN, is the umbrella body for filmmakers in northern Nigeria, including the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Since the announcement, Nollywood has been thrown into mourning with his colleagues and top practitioners sending out condolence messages.
In a condolence message he released on Thursday, the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Hussein’s, wrote: “The NFVCB commiserate with the immediate family, stakeholders, and the Board of Trustees and members of the Kano based Motion Picture Practitioners Association (MOPPAN) on the untimely death of the veteran film practitioner and President of MOPPAN Mallam Umar Maikudu whom we all affectionately called “Cashman”. We were thrown into rude shock when we heard of what to us was the untimely demise of the legendary figure in Kano’s film industry. Mallam Maikudi’s leadership and passion inspired countless filmmakers and we pray that his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the movies he made or starred in”.
The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) in a statement signed by it’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Brian Etuk, said it was deeply saddened about the passing of Alhaji Umar Maikudi, a legendary Nigerian film stakeholder, which occurred recently.
In the statement issued in Jos, on Thursday May 22nd, 2025, Dr. Ali Nuhu, NFC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, described Maikudi’s death as painful, saying that Nigeria has lost another of its consummate and hardworking stakeholder who was dedicated to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry throughout his life time to the very day he passed.
Dr. Nuhu described the death of Alhaji Umar Maikudi “as a robbery of a consummate personality who demonstrated exemplary leadership in the repositioning, attainment and promotion of the great ideals as well as the vision of MOPPAN, which he served as its National President until his death.
“As a consummate and highly respected film stakeholder, his death leaves a void in his family, leadership and members of MOPPAN, including Nollywood. Late Alhaji Umar Maikudi remains a refined patriotic leader who was committed to harnessing opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers within the domestic and diasporic film ecosystem, and shall be greatly missed”.
Also mourning the death of Maikudi, NANTAP President, Makinde Adeniran, in a statement made available to the media, described the late Mai Kudi as a ‘towering figure in the Nigerian Film Industry’ exceptionally gifted as a producer, director and actor, noting that his influence reached beyond the screen.
The statement further said that beyond his artistic excellence, the late Maikudi was a passionate educator and teacher at the Department of Film and Multimedia Production, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, where he immensely inspired a new generation of filmmakers.
In his own message, Nura M.C Khan said Maikudi’s death has deeply shaken the entire film industry, leaving a void that will be difficult to fill. “Alhaji Maikudi was a pillar of strength, a passionate advocate for the growth of our industry, and a man of great wisdom and humility.
“We pray that the Almighty grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family, friends, and the entire MOPPAN family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
Meanwhile, the remains of the late MOPPAN President, was on Thursday buried at Dambo Cemetery in Zaria in accordance with Moslem rites.
