Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest economies despite that its economy continues to stall. The country has a mixed economy with financial, manufacturing, service, communications, technology and entertainment sectors making huge progress to revive the economy. Entertainment, which includes music and the blossoming Nigerian Movie industry (colloquially known as Nollywood) plays a massive role in the revenues of the country.
The industry’s potential as a big export product to the rest of the world is very important to the country especially as its government is enthusiastic about the need to diversify from its over-dependence on oil for most of its export revenue. This is why the sector has been included as a lifeline Nigeria can hang onto.
Nollywood Sucess
Nollywood is born out of coincidence meeting resourcefulness. The industry’s history dates back to the late 19th century and the colonial era in the early 20th century. Not many people had interest in venturing into the business. Fortunately, in 1960, the then filmmakers (Hubert Ogunde, Jab Adu, Ola Balogun, Moses Olaiya, Adeyemi Afolayan and Eddie Ugboma) who started out their career in stage performance produced the first set of Nigerian movies. Due to lack of finance and the huge cost of film production those days, the filmmakers were distressed but they didn’t give up. Over time, more people began to be keenly interested in the industry. This encouraged creative and dedicated people willing to produce films in the face of massive technical challenges to join the industry.
Also, the rise of affordable digital filming and editing technologies has also helped tremendously in awakening the country’s video and film industry.
Currently, the industry which was previously overlooked has grown very quickly over the years to become the second largest film industry in the world in terms of annual film productions, ranking ahead of United states Hollywood and just behind Indian Bollywood. According to CNN reports, Nigerian movie industry is a US$250 million movie industry, producing some 200 videos for the home video market every month.
Additionally, the industry has grown to become the largest movie industry in Africa both in terms of value and number of movies produced per year. It is also now one of the country’s biggest employers.
The prestige and the success which the industry is currently witnessing have a good impact on the country and on the wider pan-African diaspora. With this kind of trend, it won’t be long before Nollywood finds the same bearing with Bollywood that has produced many remarkable arty and acclaimed movies, with budgets close to those of the Hollywood productions.
How Did It Grow So Fast?
There is no doubting the creativity and perseverance of the Nigerian people even in the face of problems, so it should not be surprising that the country’s movie space has evolved. Besides, the industry takes advantage of real-life events on the continent, portraying true situations in the country, including undesirable and desirable ones.
This is in contrast to many movies especially Hollywood movies, which highlight the lives of upper-middle classes without showing that part of African life that is the continent’s reality. From big homes with servants and drivers to expensive cars, cute dresses and over-dramatized storylines. Although this has been appealing to viewers from Africa and rest of the world, a greater number of Africans and Nigerians prefer creative movies with storylines they can relate to and featuring people who look like them, living the high life.
With many talented new filmmakers ready to up their game when it comes to giving the best quality, and a digital revolution in film distribution (reducing piracy), the future can only be brighter than it has ever been for Nollywood.
How To Watch Nigerian Movies Online
Lately, some interesting contents emerging from the Nigerian movie industry have been winning hearts. This is because, in the last two decades, the industry has moved from quantity to quality, from tape to big screen and from local to a global presence.
We’ve taken a closer look at some of the best Nigerian movies ever produced, how and where you can watch them Online for free. This page features the best Yoruba Nigerian movies, best Hausa Nigerian Movies and best Nigerian Christian movies. Let’s take a look at some of the best Nigerian movies available Online For Free. (These Nollywood Movies are updated from time to time). Watch them online for free