Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Odega has criticised the present state of Nollywood, saying the industry no longer reflects the creative depth and discipline that once defined it. Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, the actor declared that the quality of films being produced today falls short of the standards set in earlier years.
Odega made the remarks on the “Where Is The Lie” podcast hosted by media personality Theo Ezenwa, where he reflected on his decades long career and the evolution of the industry. Known widely for his viral catchphrase “Gerrarahere,” the Delta State born actor said the shift in filmmaking standards is troubling.
“Back then, one script would give us one unforgettable movie. But now, one script can give you seven bad movies, and that is not right. Nollywood back then was far better than the Nollywood of today,” he said.
Odega traced his journey in the film industry back to 1996 when he made his debut in the movie Apama alongside comedy legends Sam Loco Efe and Charles Awurum. He was also among the early performers at Night of a Thousand Laughs, a concert series that played a major role in shaping Nigeria’s stand-up comedy scene in the early 2000s.
Over a career spanning three decades, Odega has featured in more than 150 films and has received several accolades, including Best Comic Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Reflecting on Nollywood’s origins, he noted that he was active in the industry before the term “Nollywood” became popular.
“Our organisation used to be called Nigerian Actors Guild, NAG, before we later changed it to Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. It was after that that Nollywood came. I am one of the pioneers. I have been in the movie industry for 30 years,” he said.
Nollywood continues to expand commercially, producing thousands of films annually. However, industry observers note that only a fraction make it to cinemas, with funding constraints often leading to rushed productions and lower quality output concerns that align with Odega’s remarks.
As one of the actors who helped shape the early years of the industry, Odega’s critique adds weight to ongoing debates about whether Nollywood’s rapid growth has come at the expense of creative depth.
Ademide Adebayo
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