Nollywood can’t fix society — Charles Inojie

Famous Nigerian actor Charles Inojie has defended the nation’s film industry, Nollywood, against criticism that it promotes societal ills.

In an interview, he argued that the industry does not create these problems but instead reflects and exposes them. He urged parents to take a more active role in shaping the values of younger generations.

Inojie stressed the importance of family in building a better society. He highlighted that many societal problems, such as ritual killings, internet fraud, and organ harvesting, are already present in the community.

According to him, Nollywood merely portrays these realities to bring them to public attention. “The ills we see in movies are not products of Nollywood’s imagination. They are a reflection of the society we live in,” he said.

Critics vs. reality

The actor acknowledged that some people criticize Nollywood films for their themes, especially those involving rituals and crimes.

However, he questioned the fairness of such criticism. “Can we, in good faith, say that all Nollywood movies revolve around ritual themes?” he asked. He argued that these themes, though disturbing, highlight existing societal issues rather than glorifying them.

He pointed out that ritual killings, spiritual fortification, and other forms of exploitation are not fictional concepts created by filmmakers.

Instead, they are real problems rooted in society. Inojie emphasized that exposing these issues in movies is a form of education, not promotion. “We should applaud those movies for their expository qualities instead of condemning them,” he stated.

Examples of societal hypocrisy

To strengthen his point, Inojie cited real-life examples of troubling behaviours. He mentioned instances of pastors engaging in dark practices for power and influential individuals performing bizarre rituals for wealth or status.

He questioned why these actions, when portrayed in films, draw so much public outrage.

“Have you not heard of pastors burying human bodies under their pulpits for spiritual powers? Or influential men hiding under the cover of night to sleep with mad women for ritual purposes?” he asked. For Inojie, the criticism Nollywood faces is misplaced. Instead of blaming filmmakers, he believes society should confront the root causes of these problems.

The role of parenting

Inojie emphasized that parents must play a more active role in teaching their children about morality, integrity, and the consequences of poor choices.

He criticized a growing culture where parents turn a blind eye to questionable behaviours. “We have seen parents giving their underaged, unemployed children grand receptions for returning home with cars without asking how they got them,” he said.

He stressed that values like hard work and honesty must be taught at home. According to him, Nollywood cannot bear the responsibility for instilling these principles in children. “We should return to instilling family values and start reorienting the younger generation to understand the true meaning of dignity in labour,” he urged.

A call to action

The actor’s statements are a wake-up call to those who look to blame the entertainment industry for societal problems.

While Nollywood has its flaws, Inojie believes it plays an important role in mirroring society and sparking conversations about critical issues.

He urged critics to take a closer look at the content and the messages within Nollywood films, which often warn against the dangers of quick fixes and immoral behaviour.

“Nollywood is not our problem,” he concluded. Instead, he placed the responsibility on families, communities, and society at large to address the root causes of these issues. By focusing on education, parenting, and ethical values, Inojie believes Nigeria can create a brighter future for its youth.

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