BIG TICKET NOLLYWOOD: LEADING THE CHARGE FOR AFRICAN CINEMA

PRESENT-DAY NOLLYWOOD IS A THRIVING INDUSTRY AND A KEY COMPONENT OF NIGERIA'S ECONOMY.

- Oluwatomisin Amokeoja

CHURNING OUT OVER 2,500 FILMS A YEAR, THE COUNTRY'S FILM SECTOR IS NOT JUST A CULTURAL PHENOMENON BUT ALSO A TICKET TO THE WORLD.

In the Lekki district of Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, the crew on the set of a new film has taken over a local event center, transforming it into a lavish venue to shoot an elaborate birthday party scene. Under the harsh glare of the bright lights, actors diligently rehearse their lines even as the director and crew make crucial last-minute adjustments for the next shot. The decor and meticulously-designed sets illustrate the grandeur of the film. Amidst this frenzied flurry, the dreams and aspirations driving these individuals shine brighter than the motivated lights on them.

Nollywood, a term that emerged in the early 2000s, captures the essence of Nigerian cinema. And yet its origins are older, going as far back as the 1960s, around the time that the country gained its independence. Pioneering filmmakers in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo languages set the groundwork.

"The early days were tough," recalls British-Nigerian actor, Wale Ojo.

"Films were shot on celluloid, and piracy was rampant. But the entrepreneurial spirit of the 1990s revitalized the industry, leading to what we now call Nollywood." "We are changing the economy," Ojo asserts of the industry in its current avatar. "The industry is a major employer and has immense potential for growth." Over the past few decades, Nollywood has transformed from one with a modest beginning into a vibrant, thriving industry, producing an estimated 2,500-plus films annually. It is recognized as the world's second-largest film industry in terms of volume, trailing only Bollywood and leading Hollywood.