Lagos, Nigeria – The Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, is one of the largest and most prolific in the world. It produces an estimated 2,500 movies annually, generates about $600 million in revenue, and employs over one million people. But despite its success, Nollywood faces many challenges, such as poor infrastructure, piracy, low quality, and lack of funding.
That is why the Lagos State Government has embarked on an ambitious project to build a state-of-the-art film city that will transform the industry and make Lagos the Hollywood of Africa. The Lagos Film City, expected to cost $100 million, will be a hub for film production, visual effects, scripting, cinematography, editing, photography, and all the ancillary services that support the filmmaking process.
The project is a public-private partnership model that will create numerous job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and attract investment. It will also provide training and capacity building for aspiring and established filmmakers through collaborations with various notable players in the entertainment sector, such as Ebonylife Academy, Delyork, and Ogidi Studios.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Lagos Film City took place on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the Ikosi-Ejinrin area of Epe Local Government. The film city will be situated on 100 hectares of land donated by the Epe community. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, presided over the ceremony and expressed his commitment to supporting the creative industry and making Lagos a global destination for culture and tourism.
The governor said that the film city will boost the quality and quantity of Nollywood movies and showcase the rich and diverse culture of Lagos and Nigeria to the world. He also said that the film city will be environmentally friendly and powered by renewable energy.
Other dignitaries, such as the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, joined the governor, who commended the initiative and pledged the federal government’s support. The minister said that the film city will enhance the competitiveness of Nollywood in the international market and promote the soft power of Nigeria.
The ceremony also featured representatives from the private sector partners, such as Mo Abudu, the founder of Ebonylife Media; Linus Idahosa, the founder of Delyork; and Kunle Afolayan, the founder of Ogidi Studios. They all expressed excitement and optimism about the project and its potential impact on the industry.
The Lagos Film City is expected to be completed in three years and will have facilities such as sound stages, backlots, post-production studios, cinemas, hotels, restaurants, and recreational areas. It will also have a film academy that will offer courses in various aspects of filmmaking and a film festival to showcase local and international films.
The project is part of the Lagos State Government’s vision to make Lagos a smart city that leverages technology, innovation, and creativity to improve its residents’ and visitors’ quality of life. It is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The Lagos Film City is a dream come true for many Nollywood practitioners and enthusiasts who have longed for a world-class facility that will elevate their craft and showcase their stories. It is also a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Nigerians who have overcome many obstacles to create one of the world’s most vibrant and influential film industries.
Source: Business Insider Africa
