CSN Holds 2025 First Meeting, Launches Membership Portal
Formerly known as the Nigeria Society of Cinematographers (NSC), the Cinematographers Society of Nigeria (CSN) was founded in 1999 and officially inaugurated in 2002 under the leadership of Isa Abubarkar, with founding council members Amaka Igwe and Zik Zulu.
The CSN is a recognized member of the Federation of Nollywood Guilds and Associations and is registered with the Nigeria Film and Video Censor Board. It is also a full member of IMAGO, the International Federation of Cinematographers, headquartered in Brussels.
IMAGO includes prestigious societies such as the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), the Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC), the French Society of Cinematographers (AFC), and the South African Society of Cinematographers (SASC), among others. Nigeria’s CSN is the second full African member of IMAGO after South Africa.
The CSN convened its first meeting of 2025 on March 23rd at The Brisk in Ikoyi, Lagos. As part of its tradition, the society paid tribute to its Board of Trustees (BOT) and departed members. The gathering served as an opportunity to appreciate the contributions of members to the growth of cinematography in Nigeria and reinforce professionalism as the society’s guiding principle.
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The meeting was attended by several notable figures in the industry, including founding members and sector leaders such as Mr. Jonathan Gbemutor, Mr. Byron Ene, Dr. Victor Okhai, and Barnabas “Barney” Emordi. Also in attendance were the society’s president, Mr. Emmanuel “Chimobi” Nwosu, as well as the secretary and treasurer, Mr. Uzezi Akpata and Mr. John Aduloju, respectively.
CSN serves as a professional body for cinematographers, camera operators, first assistant camera (AC), gaffers, lighting designers, grips, photographers, and best boys. Membership categories include Full, Associate, Student, and Yearly Subscription, along with a dedicated category for veterans and honorary friends of the society.
With a commitment to upholding professionalism, CSN seeks to ensure the welfare of its technical crew members in television and film, guide them through ethical standards, and promote fair working conditions. In line with its mission, the society recently launched an official website to streamline membership registration and profiling. Prospective members can apply through the website’s registration portal and undergo a screening process by the governing board. Membership applications require a referral and include both professional and behavioral background checks, with final approvals or rejections determined by the board.
As the CSN continues to strengthen its role in Nigeria’s film industry, its commitment to professionalism, ethics, and improved working conditions remains unwavering.
