Nigeria’s Nollywood has developed over the last few decades from a small-scale, regional film industry to one of the biggest and most significant in the film world. Nollywood, which is well-known for its quick production cycles, cranks out thousands of films annually that captivate fans not only in Nigeria but also throughout Africa and beyond. Nollywood, the second-largest film business in the world by volume, is vital to the development of African narratives, a significant force in pop culture worldwide, and a primary driver of the Nigerian economy.
However, how did Nollywood become well-known, and how does it affect the world scene? In this article, let’s examine its history and the several contributing elements to its achievement.
Origin of Nollywood
The history of Nollywood started in the early 1990s when Nigeria’s film industry was founded due to a growth in the home video market. Kenneth Nnebue’s Living in Bondage, the first widely known Nollywood film, was released in 1992. Despite being produced on a tight budget, the movie became a cultural phenomenon and set the standard for Nollywood cinema
Early Nollywood films were made quickly and distributed on VHS cassettes due to the need for access to traditional film studios and theatres. This gave Nigerians a cheap and convenient method of watching local stories.
Source: PwC
Other filmmakers, including Ola Balogun, Adeyemi Afolayan, Francis Oladele, Hubert Ogunde, and Eddie Ugbomah, who are recognised as the early pioneers of Nollywood, played a significant role in the industry’s growth and helped define Nollywood’s style and approach to storytelling.
These filmmakers created fun and culturally meaningful films by fusing traditional Nigerian themes with magic, mystery, and melodrama elements. This grassroots movement quickly took off, and Lagos emerged as its vibrant hub.
Evolution of Nollywood
The number of Nollywood films produced increased along with the demand. Filmmakers and producers came to understand that home video was a profitable industry that provided films with a wide distribution channel without requiring expensive theatrical releases.
However, Nollywood has changed a lot over the years, despite its reputation for quick, low-budget productions at first. These days, Nollywood produces more big-budget films with better production qualities and a wider audience. Nollywood has come a long way, as seen by films like the highest-grossing movie of the time of writing, A Tribe Called Judah, produced by the renowned box office queen Funke Akindele, which amassed over ₦1.4 billion.
Source: British Council.
Other films like Batlle on Buka Street, Wedding Party, King of Boys, Omo Ghetto, and Chief Daddy are worth mentioning when considering the highest-grossing movies with better production qualities. These movies captivated a wider audience with their complex storylines, excellent acting, and gorgeous photography that can compete worldwide.
Nollywood’s Impact on the World Stage
Nollywood’s influence extends beyond Nigeria. The business has spread to other African nations since Nollywood films are so well-liked in West Africa. With its recognisable cultural themes, relevant storytelling, and inexpensive distribution channels, Nollywood has established itself as a mainstay of entertainment on the continent.
Outside of Africa, the African diaspora has proven to be a devoted audience for Nollywood, especially in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Since so many African Americans see Nollywood films as a means of maintaining a connection to their heritage, the industry is a significant export of culture.
Notably, Lionheart, a movie produced by Chinny Onwugbenu in 2018 and featuring veteran acts like Genevieve Nnaji, Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, and Kanayo O. Kanayo, was the first Nollywood movie to collaborate with Netflix, an American subscription video-on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The Indigenous film raked in about ₦21.3 million at the box office.
Thanks to the growth of the online streaming service, Nollywood films are now more widely known worldwide than before. International audiences have seen additional films like Citation, Sugar Rush, and Merry Men, increasing exposure for Nigerian directors. With the help of streaming, Nollywood has reached audiences in far-off areas and created new revenue sources.
Nollywood is collaborating with other international film industries, particularly Hollywood. Through these collaborations, Nollywood directors have preserved the essence of the African narrative while learning from international industry standards.
Economic Impact of Nollywood
Nollywood employs many people in the film industry, including directors, producers, actors, and many more. It is among the biggest employers in Nigeria. Due to the industry’s expansion, thousands of jobs have been created, making it an essential part of Nigeria’s economy.
Nigeria’s GDP greatly benefits from Nollywood, which brings in billions of dollars annually. The industry’s economic influence goes beyond the creation of films to allied industries like fashion, music, and tourism, confirming its position as one of Nigeria’s main economic drivers.
Popular Genres in Nollywood
Though Nollywood films are renowned for their wide range of genres, romance, comedy, and drama are incredibly lovable. Nigerian filmmakers are adept at fusing comedy with commonplace themes, which helps to make their movies extremely relevant to domestic and foreign viewers. Dramas about romance and families frequently placed against the backdrop of Nigerian customs and culture are popular with viewers, both domestically and internationally.
How Nollywood is Shaping African Narrative Worldwide
Nollywood has a significant influence on how Africans are portrayed in international films. In contrast to Hollywood, where African characters are frequently portrayed via clichéd prisms, Nollywood presents real African stories. These films respect African culture, hardships, and victories while providing a more complex picture of the continent’s many realities to the outside world.
Nollywood’s increasing global appeal is also influencing how the world views Africa. Its popularity upends the Western media’s long-standing hegemony and provides a forum for African opinions to be heard internationally. Nollywood’s storytelling from an African viewpoint is contributing to the global redefining of African identity.
There is no denying Nollywood’s influence on the global scene. Nollywood, which started small with home video production and has grown to become one of the biggest film industries globally, has transformed African storytelling and the film industry as a whole. It is a force to be reckoned with because of its contributions to African soft power, economic importance, and capacity to impact pop culture globally. Nollywood’s future on the international scene appears more promising than ever as it keeps growing and innovating.