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Nollywood actress Aisha Lawal has said that Yoruba actors and filmmakers “own Nollywood” because according to her, “they started it.”
In an interview with Tribune, the filmmaker said that the Yoruba people are the rightful owners of the Nigerian film industry because they were the first to produce films in Nigeria.
She cited the works of Hubert Ogunde and Ade Love as evidence of the Yoruba people’s early contributions to Nollywood.
Lawal also said that Yoruba movies are now more popular than movies from other language groups in Nigeria. She attributed this to the fact that Yoruba movies are more relatable to the Nigerian audience.
Lawal’s comments have sparked a debate on social media, with some people agreeing with her and others disagreeing.
Some people have argued that Nollywood is a pan-Nigerian industry and that no one ethnic group can claim ownership of it.
Others have argued that Yoruba movies are indeed more popular than movies from other language groups, and that Lawal is simply stating a fact.
Peoplesmind
