Nollywood: Revisiting the Change Prism towards Sustaining Societal Development

Abstract

Nigeria's film industry had a significant year in 1992. Since then, numerous films have faced criticism for promoting negative behavior and attitudes. However, this study challenges those claims, demonstrating that Nollywood films can promote positive attitudes and sustainable development. The study analyzed two films: Daybreak in Udi and Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches. To achieve this goal, Nollywood is expected to facilitate the needed development through productions aimed at persuading the people to adopt values that enhance a better life and motivate them to greater heights in development. To this end, it was advanced that there was a need for Nollywood to revisit the changing prism by making significant films geared towards social and cultural reorientation leading to sustainable national development rather than placing undue emphasis on entertainment value and box office returns. The study appealed to the government at all levels and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to come to the aid of the film industry to enable it to play this significant role.