Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Muyiwa Ademola, has called on the Federal Government to offer more financial and structural support to the movie industry.
He said a lack of funding was holding the industry back, despite its creative strength.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Rubin Minds, Ademola said Nollywood’s strength lies in its originality — a quality that continues to define its identity across generations.
“We still have that spark — our stories are original, and that’s our strength. That’s what made the industry what it is today. I always tell my peers, ‘Let’s stick to our authentic, original storytelling style,’” he said.
Speaking on the challenges filmmakers face, Ademola decried the lack of accessible funding and the bureaucratic stress involved in producing films in Nigeria.
“It’s a very big industry, and the government needs to do better. Movies here are personal projects. Abroad, you put your concept together, present it, and get funding.
“But here, it’s so stressful. You need to know someone who will take you to someone else, and so on. And in the process, your work of art can get doctored. That pressure shouldn’t exist,” he said.
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The 54-year-old actor argued that government intervention could revolutionise the filmmaking process and attract investors to the sector.
“We need funding, grants, and more cinemas. Especially community cinemas — places that can encourage people to invest in filmmaking because they’re confident about returns. Right now, it’s a whole lot of stress.
“We need systems and policies that make the process easier. Investors should be able to come in, and the government should create an enabling environment for that,” the filmmaker stated.
Asked whether Nollywood has reached its full potential, especially compared to countries like South Korea, the actor admitted that more work needed to be done.
“Nollywood has come a long way, but we’re still growing. Look at South Korea — they’ve made a massive global impact. What we need is more government support. My ‘Ori Rebirth’ was purely a product of perseverance and personal sacrifice. That’s not how it should be.”
“In other countries, you present your concept and get funded. Here, you need referrals and face hurdles that dilute your original vision. The government must support the industry structurally,” he said.
Reflecting on the recent Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Ademola praised the platform for uplifting standards in the industry.
“It was amazing. The AMVCA has raised the bar. Everyone wants their production to be showcased and rewarded there. It’s beautiful to see colleagues like Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, and even Hakeem, who worked on my movie ‘Ori’ as the makeup artist, winning. He’s been winning for seven years straight. It motivates you as a filmmaker.”
On the evolution of Nollywood from Video Home System (VHS) tapes to streaming platforms, the actor highlighted YouTube’s rise among Gen Zs as a key platform and warned not to sacrifice quality for reach.
Source: Channels TV
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