Veteran actor Francis Duru has pointed to a lack of support and organisation as one of the reasons Igbo movies and producers have lost ground in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
He made the comment while discussing the growing dominance of Yoruba films and music.
Francis was asked why Yoruba content appears to have gained so much ground while Igbo productions are less visible, including on major streaming platforms.
His answer was straightforward: communities have to make deliberate efforts to support and promote what belongs to them.
In an interview, he said:
“Charity begins at home. That is what has happened with the Yorubas. If you don’t protect your own or project your own, who will do it?
“Igbos created an industry, but go to Netflix, you will not see any Igbo content there.
“The Yorubas have taken over Nollywood and other entertainment industries, which were created by the Igbos, because they are organised. The Igbos need to learn from them.”
He believes the issue is not simply about who is making more films or producing more music. He believes organisation, support and a willingness to promote one’s own culture have played an important role in determining which groups and stories receive greater attention.
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