Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Odega has expressed concern over what he described as a significant decline in the quality of Nollywood productions.
Speaking in a recent episode of the Where Is The Lie podcast, Odega argued that the Nigerian film industry produced more memorable and impactful movies during his era than it does today.
According to him, filmmakers in the early days focused on strong storytelling and originality, which resulted in classic films that remain unforgettable years later.
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“Back then, one script would give us one unforgettable movie. But now, one script can give you seven bad movies, and that’s not right. Nollywood back then is far better than the Nollywood of today,” he said.
The actor maintained that the current trend of producing multiple films from a single storyline has affected overall quality, suggesting that the industry now prioritises quantity over substance.
Odega also highlighted his longstanding involvement in the industry, describing himself as one of Nollywood’s pioneers. He explained that he was active in filmmaking before the term “Nollywood” became widely recognised.
“I was among the people who made Nollywood. When we started, Nollywood was just a phenomenon. Our organisation used to be called the Nigerian Actors Guild (NAG) before we later changed it to the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN). It was after then that Nollywood came,” he stated.
With over three decades in the movie industry, Odega said he has witnessed its evolution firsthand, from its grassroots beginnings to its current global recognition.
While acknowledging Nollywood’s growth in reach and commercial success, his comments suggest a belief that artistic depth and originality have diminished over time.
His remarks have since sparked debate among movie lovers and industry stakeholders, with some agreeing that storytelling standards have shifted, while others argue that the industry has simply evolved to meet modern demands and global trends.
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