Cinema of Nigeria

The cinema of Nigeria, often called Nollywood, is a massive and influential film industry. It is a vital part of the nation's culture and economy.

This industry produces a huge number of movies every year. These films are watched across the African continent and the Caribbean. They even reach the wider diaspora around the world. Because of this reach, Nigerian film actors have become household names. The industry has grown from small viewing devices into a global powerhouse.

Watching films in Nigeria has changed through many different technological stages. In the late 19th century, people used peephole viewing devices to see motion pictures. By the early 20th century, improved exhibition devices allowed for larger screenings. One major way films reached people was through mobile cinema vans. These vans traveled to different areas to show movies to the public. By 1954, these mobile vans were playing to at least 3.5 million people. Later, the industry shifted toward television and direct-to-video releases. Today, there is a strong focus on professional, high-quality cinema for modern theaters.

Historians generally classify the history of Nigerian film into four distinct eras. The first is the Colonial era, which lasted from the late 19th century until the early 1960s. The second is the Golden Age era, spanning from the late 1950s to the late 1980s. The third era is the video film era, which began in the 1990s. Finally, there is the emerging New Nigerian cinema era. Each era represents a different way that films were made, owned, and watched by the people.

The Colonial era saw the arrival of Western films in places like Lagos. The first films were screened at Glover Memorial Hall from August 12 to 22, 1903. In 1926, the film *Palaver*, directed by Geoffrey Barkas, became the first feature film made in Nigeria. This film was important because it featured Nigerian actors, such as Dawiya and Yilkuba, in substantial roles. During this time, the Nigerian Film Unit was established to help decentralize film production. This unit produced newsreels and educational films for local audiences.

The Golden Age began after Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. During this time, the cinema business expanded very quickly. In 1972, a policy called the Indigenization Decree was issued by Yakubu Gowon. This decree required the transfer of ownership of about 300 film theaters from foreign owners to Nigerians. This change allowed more Nigerians to take active roles in the industry. Additionally, an oil boom between 1973 and 1978 gave citizens more disposable income. This extra money allowed more people to visit cinemas and buy home television sets.

Nigerian cinema has achieved incredible scale in the global market. By the mid-2000s, it became the second largest film industry in the world. This ranking was based on the number of annual film productions. In this category, Nigeria actually produced more films than the United States. Only India had a larger film industry by volume. By 2013, the industry was also rated as the third most valuable film industry in the world. This value is measured by the total revenue the films generate.

Several specific films helped define the success of different eras. In 1984, the film *Papa Ajasco* by Wale Adenuga became the first major blockbuster. It earned approximately ₦61,000 in just three days. A year later, *Mosebolatan* by Moses Olaiya earned ₦107,000 in five days. In the modern era, the film *The Figurine* in 2009 is seen as a major turning point. It helped mark a shift toward contemporary, professional Nigerian cinema.

This resurgence has led to a steady return of cinema culture across the country.