Nollywood: Challenges, Heritage Practice and Storytelling

Abstract

This thesis investigates Nollywood’s role in preserving and promoting Nigerian heritage through storytelling. It is approached as a heritage study with elements of film studies. Specifically, the research examines how Nollywood’s narratives, production practices, and institutional structures contribute to the preservation, representation, and transmission of Nigerian cultural heritage. The central research question guiding this study is: To what extent has Nollywood storytelling contributed to Nigerian heritage? The research examines Nollywood’s evolution as a cultural institution, highlighting its impact on African heritage narratives and its potential as a global ambassador for Nigerian heritage. Despite challenges such as piracy, censorship, inadequate funding, and the recurring debate about implementing the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) Bill, Nollywood has shown resilience. Issues like gender inequality and sexual harassment further highlight the need for stronger governance and ethical standards, as confirmed through interviews with industry stakeholders. The study examines Nollywood’s funding mechanisms, with a particular focus on the significant role played by the Bank of Industry in financing productions. It also examines the incorporation of oral literature, from seminal works to recent adaptations, in Nollywood films. Historical analysis contextualises films such as Things Fall Apart (1987) and Living in Bondage (1992) alongside representations of Nigerian cultures and contemporary values. Film analysis and reviews offer more apparent nuances on Nollywood’s contents and relevance to studies, and audience responses indicate that 85.4% of respondents recognise Nollywood’s role in shaping perceptions of Nigerian culture. This research contributes to heritage studies by addressing gaps in understanding Nollywood’s potential for cultural preservation, especially in the context of globalisation and commercialisation. Drawing on frameworks like collective memory, which emphasises the role of shared memories in cultural preservation, and Afrocentricity, a perspective that places African culture and history at the centre, the study demonstrates how Nollywood preserves cultural integrity while adapting to modern challenges. Other theoretical underpinnings include decolonisation, which involves dismantling colonial ideologies and reclaiming indigenous knowledge and traditions, and cultural appropriation, which refers to the adoption of cultural elements without permission, often leading to distortion and commodification. By positioning Nollywood as a dynamic tool for cultural transmission, this study advances heritage discourse. It highlights its impact on Nigerian cultural identity, as well as its capacity to influence global perceptions of African heritage, albeit in ways that reflect particular rather than universal traditions