Yoruba Didn't Start Nollywood, Osuofia Clarifies

Veteran Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia, has clarified that although Yoruba filmmakers pioneered home-video productions in Nigeria, they did not start Nollywood. Owoh made the clarification during an interview on Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by comedian and content creator Adebayo Abidemi. The interview was published on the host's YouTube channel on Saturday. Owoh explained that the name Nollywood was adopted years after filmmakers had begun producing movies.

Owoh rejected the interpretation of his earlier comments that Yoruba started Nollywood rather than the Igbo. He said that when they started film production, there was no Nollywood as a name. The actor credited Yoruba filmmakers with making home-video productions popular in Nigeria. He specifically mentioned veteran filmmakers Hubert Ogunde and Adebayo as influential figures in the development of the tradition.

Owoh dismissed the suggestion that Ogunde was Igbo, maintaining that the veteran filmmaker was Yoruba and had gained prominence before Igbo filmmakers became widely recognised in the industry. Owoh stated that the Yoruba did not start Nollywood, but they started home video. This clarification comes against the backdrop of renewed discussions about the contributions of different ethnic groups to the growth of Nigerian cinema.

The debate gained attention in August 2026 after late veteran actor Francis Duru argued that the Igbo built Nollywood, while the Yoruba community had become more dominant through its organisation and promotional activities. Duru attributed much of the growth of the modern home-video industry during the 1990s and early 2000s to Igbo entrepreneurs. Owoh was previously reported to have challenged that position, pointing to the Yoruba community's longstanding involvement in filmmaking, theatre, and stage performances.

Owoh's clarification aims to set the record straight on the origins of Nollywood and the role of Yoruba filmmakers in the industry. He emphasized that the history of home video should not be confused with the origins of the Nigerian film industry. The actor's comments have sparked further discussion on the contributions of different ethnic groups to Nollywood's growth.

The Nigerian film industry has grown significantly over the years, with various ethnic groups contributing to its development. The debate on the origins of Nollywood and the role of different ethnic groups continues to generate interest among film enthusiasts and industry stakeholders. Owoh's clarification is seen as an effort to provide accurate information and correct misconceptions about the industry's history.

The clarification by Osuofia highlights the need for accurate information and correct misconceptions about the history of Nollywood. The industry continues to evolve, with new developments and trends emerging. As the debate on the contributions of different ethnic groups to Nollywood's growth continues, it is essential to rely on accurate information and credible sources.

Key points

• Yoruba filmmakers pioneered home-video productions in Nigeria but did not start Nollywood.
• The name Nollywood was adopted years after filmmakers had begun producing movies.
• The history of home video should not be confused with the origins of the Nigerian film industry.