By Mark Akhuetie
At the International Film Administration Conference held on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, stakeholders in Nigeriaโs film industry were presented with a compelling roadmap on how stronger administration, innovation, and institutional frameworks can shape the future of Nollywood.
The keynote address delivered by Professor Osakue Omoera, President of the Film Educators Guild of Nigeria (FEGON), titled โTransforming the Cinema Ecosystem in the Digital Era: Leadership, Innovation and the Transformative Power of Administration,โ offered a critical reflection on the direction of Nigeriaโs film industry in an era of rapid technological change.
Professor Omoeraโs presentation challenged stakeholders to look beyond Nollywoodโs remarkable creativity and production capacity and pay closer attention to the structures that sustain a globally competitive film ecosystem.
For decades, Nollywood has been celebrated as one of the worldโs most productive film industries, built largely through the resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and determination of its practitioners.
However, the keynote emphasised that creativity alone cannot guarantee long-term sustainability.
The future of Nollywood, according to the presentation, depends heavily on stronger institutions, strategic leadership, effective administration, and coordinated systems that support filmmakers and preserve Nigerian stories.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐: ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง
One of the major areas highlighted was the growing influence of digital platforms and social media on content creation.
Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and emerging digital spaces have created new opportunities for young Nigerians to tell stories, build audiences, and experiment with new forms of creativity.
However, the presentation pointed out that this expanding digital ecosystem requires stronger support structures to ensure that authentic Nigerian voices are properly nurtured, documented, and connected to sustainable opportunities.
For Nollywood, this presents a major opportunity.
With proper institutional involvement, talent incubation programmes, production support initiatives, and stronger creative development frameworks, the digital space can become a pipeline for discovering and empowering the next generation of filmmakers.
๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ
A key message from Professor Omoeraโs keynote is that Nollywoodโs greatest achievement has always been its ability to survive.
From the transition from celluloid to video film, through technological disruption, economic challenges, and changing audience behaviour, Nigerian filmmakers have repeatedly adapted.
But the next phase of growth requires moving from survival to sustainability.
This means building systems that support:
- professional training and mentorship;
- reliable industry data;
- stronger production structures;
- better policy implementation;
- improved collaboration between government, guilds, educators, and practitioners.
๐ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The keynote address arrives at a time when Nollywood is increasingly seeking recognition as a serious contributor to Nigeriaโs economy and global cultural influence.
As the industry expands internationally, questions around administration, regulation, investment, preservation, and professional development become even more important.
Professor Omoeraโs presentation therefore serves as a timely reminder that the future of Nigerian cinema will not only be determined by the stories we tell, but also by the systems we build around those stories.
For Nollywood to fully maximise its global potential, creativity and administration must work hand in hand.
At Nollywood Central, we commend Professor Osakue Omoera for a thought-provoking keynote that reinforces a critical truth:
A great film industry is built not only by talented filmmakers, but also by strong institutions that protect, develop, and sustain their creativity.
The conversation about the future of Nollywood must continue.
