Nollywood Has Gone Global: Nigerian Filmmakers Must Think and Work Globally

Nollywood Has Gone Global:  Nigerian Filmmakers Must Think and Work Globally

Nollywood has gone global.

We must think and work globally in content and context of telling and sharing our stories in the universal medium of filmmaking for the global audience.

Nigerian filmmakers cannot compete with the best in the world if they continue to think locally and compete locally for the local box office and going over the moon for grossing less than US$2 million for the first time in the 100 years of filmmaking in Nigeria since 1926 to 2026 when South African filmmakers have made films grossing over US$200 in the international box office.

The 2009, sci-fi film "District 9"  that grossed US$210.8 million was made by South African-born Canadian film director and screenwriter, Neill Blomkamp and was shot in South Africa;
The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980) made more than US$100 million;
Adventures in Zambezia ($34.4M);
Khumba ($28.4M);Tsotsi ($12M) and Sarafina! ($7.3M).
A new film, David (2025), a South African animated film produced by Sunrise Productions, has grossed over US$83.6 million worldwide as of February 6, 2026.

The Nigerian film industry should be inspired by the outstanding success stories of the film industry of South Africa.

South African filmmakers think and work globally with the best in the world.

You cannot see the big picture if you continue to gaze at the miniature of the tableaux.

- EKENYERENGOZI Michael CHIMA.
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

#nollywood
#filmmaking
#filmmakers
#movies
#storytelling
#content
#cinema
#boxoffice
#filmindustry
#entertainment
#global
#nigeria
#southafrica
#david
#district9
#series

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARwBb9YJu/

Nollywood Has A Critical Diversity Problem

 

Nollywood Has A Critical Diversity Problem

2026 will be a century of filmmaking in Nigeria since the first feature film, "Palaver: A Romance of Northern Nigeria"  was shot in the kingdom of Toro in 1926 by the English filmmaker and military officer, Geoffrey Barkas.

The making of "Palaver" has been published in the second edition of my NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series

in 2014 and the publication is distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

Nollywood, the first indie film industry in Africa is known as the second largest in the world after the Bollywood of India in the quantity of film productions which are mostly videos and not on celluloid. And the phenomenal guerilla filmmakers have attracted global attention to the Nigerian film industry with many articles, essays, news reports and several books written by Nigerians and foreigners in the news media and academic institutions. And documentary films have been produced on the phenomenon of Nollywood.

Majority of the writers and documentary filmmakers have focused on the most dominant features of Nollywood and Kannywood which are largely dictated by the three major tribes of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa in Nigeria.

Majority of the actors and producers are from the three tribes and so their movies have been based on the narratives and perspectives on the sociocultural, socioeconomic and sociopolitical themes of their ethnicities. 

The few filmmakers from the minor tribes have been able to represent their regions and tell their own peculiar stories. But most of the peculiarities of their tribes have not been shown in Nigerian movies.

One of the most accomplished and prolific filmmakers is Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen from Benin in Edo State and has been the leading storyteller of the lives and times of Edo people and the foremost film studies scholar on Nigerian movies in indigenous languages,  Prof. Osakue Stevenson Omoera has studied and written on Imasuen's movies.

See "Audience Reception of the Benin Language Video Film in Nollywood" by Prof. Osakue Stevenson Omoera

Journal of African Cultural Studies

Vol. 26, No. 1 (March 2014), pp. 69-81 (13 pages)

Published By: Taylor & Francis, Ltd.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/24758457

I am still waiting for the best film productions of Imasuen that will show the rest of the world the great myths and mysteries of the great Edo people of the Benin Empire such as an epic film on  Prince Ekaladerhan, whom the Ife people now called Oduduwa.

We have epics of Yoruba stories in Nollywood, but the filmmakers have often forgotten that the minority group of Nupe people can't be ignored in the historical films on Oyo Empire, because the demigod, "Sango", the third Alaafin of Oyo was born to an Oyo father (Oranmiyan) and a Nupe mother, who was the daughter of the Elempe (Nupe king). He is considered half-Yoruba and half-Nupe, having spent part of his youth in Nupe kingdom before becoming a powerful Oyo ruler known for wielding fire. 

Nupe people have been underrepresented in both Nollywood and in Kennywood, even though they are mostly Muslims.

See the cinematic image of a Nupe cavalryman wearing lifidi (padded armour). Drawn in 1911 by Carl Arriens.

This is enough evidence that Nupe must have great untold stories that will captivate the cinema.

Among the most popular actors and actresses are personalities from the minorities like Nollywood divas Kate Henshaw, Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Mercy Johnson Okojie. But they have been featuring in Nollywood English movies often focused on common themes of the lives of Igbos and Yorubas and not on their own tribes who are lagging behind in the shadows of the major tribes.

Mercy Johnson-Okojie

Mercy Johnson-Okojie produced the Igala epic "The Legend of Inikpi" in 2020. But she has ignored telling the peculiar stories of her Ebira tribe of Kogi State. 

The popular actor, Efa Iwara has not told us any of the stories of his Yakö people in the Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The diversity problem goes beyond tribal bigotry in the competition for leading roles for the principal cast in movies. 

There have been complaints of tribal discrimination against actors from ethnic minority groups in Nigeria.

They have been denied special roles in preference for actors from the major tribes who have the largest audiences of movie-goers at the cinemas and largest viewers of both public and cable TV channels and majority of the  viewers of videos streaming on YouTube channels, Netflix, Facebook, Instagram and other online platforms. So, the producers say their choice of the actors is based on popularity of the star power of an influential actor or actress and not based on tribal preference. 

A woman viewing two Nollywood actresses, Nunnsi Ojong and Celina Ideh from a minority group in southern Nigeria featured in my Lagos in Motion documentary film.

A scene from my "Lagos in Motion documentary film showing an Igbo actress Cynthia Agu and an Edo actress, Franca Aide.

Lest we forget, we are the best storytellers of our own stories and our stories are best told in our own languages.

We can't call the Nigerian film industry Nollywood when millions of people from the ethnic  minorities have been ignored and marginalized among the stakeholders. 

The estimated population of Nigeria is over 236,747,130 of which 30% are Hausa; 15.5% are Yoruba; 15.2% are Igbo; 6% are Fulani;. 2.4% are Tiv; 2.4% are Kanuri; 1.8% are Ibibio and Efik; 1.8% are Ijaw and 24.7% are from the remaining minorities of the over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa.

While 29.5% (Hausa-Fulani), 20.3% (Yoruba), and 16.6% (Igbo) were historically listed as major, this leaves roughly a third or more of the population as part of various minority groups. 

The Diversity Problem of Different Sexual Orientations 

The other cases of lack of diversity and inclusion In Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry come from sections of the society with people profiled as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) and the larger community of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer).

There have been cases of widespread LGBTQ+-phobia; prejudice, fear, hatred, or discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, encompassing homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. 

The causes of LGBTQ+phobia are often religious beliefs and traditional taboos.

The largest dominant religions of Christianity in Nollywood and Islam in Kannywood forbid homosexuality and in extreme cases of intolerance, homosexuals have been attacked and banished from film productions and treated as outcasts in the society.

Homosexuality is a crime in Nigeria. Therefore, the film industry does not accept a community of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. And so will not promote

inclusivity, covering individuals who are not heterosexual or do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth. But they cannot be ignored.

They have the fundamental human rights to tell their stories and amplify their voices in Nollywood and Kannywood and WE MUST PROTECT THEM from the violations of their liberties as bonafide citizens of Nigeria and fellow humans with the same equal rights to live and work in love 💕, peace and unity. 

Diversity and inclusion will accommodate the best talents and accelerate the sustainable development and advancement of the entertainment industry and the creative economy of Nigeria.

Key Components of a Diversity Problem

Unconscious Bias & Stereotyping: 

Prejudiced, automatic assumptions that affect hiring, promotion, and daily interactions.

Underrepresentation (The "Glass Ceiling"): A lack of diverse talent in top-level leadership roles, often due to systemic barriers.

Lack of Inclusion: 

Having a diverse staff but failing to create a welcoming environment where those individuals feel valued and supported.

Cultural Clashes & Communication Barriers: 

Misunderstandings due to differences in cultural norms, communication styles, and values.

Inequitable Treatment: 

Unequal pay, limited opportunities for advancement, or exclusion from key projects based on social identity. 

Consequences of Unaddressed Diversity Problems

Reduced Innovation: 

A homogenous group fails to bring diverse perspectives to problem-solving.

Lower Productivity & Morale: Cultural clashes and unfairness increase employee turnover and decrease productivity.

Reputational Damage: 

Organizations may face negative public perception if they appear non-inclusive. 

A diversity problem is generally solved by defining specific, unique challenges rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to inclusion. 

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Founder/ CEO,

International Digital Post Network Limited,

Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC)

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

New Nigeria

www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport

Tel: +234 706 637 9246

PS:

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima (also known by the pseudonym Orikinla Osinachi) is a prominent Nigerian writer, publisher, and multimedia producer born on January 30, 1963, in Lagos Island. 

Professional Roles & Media Presence

He is the Founder and CEO of the International Digital Post Network Limited, the first Nigerian company to attract the IMAX Corporation to Nigeria, King of Kings Books International and Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC). He secured International partnership with the Cinewav of Singapore for the "One Village, One Cinema" initiative and partnership with the 

International Chamber of Media & Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) of India for the Bollywood To Nollywood Filmmaking workshops for international co-productions between India and Nigeria.

Writer & Publisher: 

He is the Publisher/Editor of several online platforms, including Nigerians Report Online, Nigerian Times, and the Founder and Publisher/Editor of the popular NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

Consultant: 

He has served as a social media consultant and previously worked as a National Program Consultant for UNICEF Nigeria and independent Production Manager of "Money Wise" business magazine programme on DBN TV.

Advocacy: 

He is recognized for his advocacy for girl-child education supporting the compulsory education of the millions of underprivileged girls out of school in Nigeria.

Art, Literary & Creative Works

Chima is a notable artist with local and International exhibitions of his drawings and paintings. He  was the national curator for the 1993 World AIDS Day "Art Against AIDS" exhibitions at the National Museum and National Theatre in Nigeria.

He is a prolific writer who is the author of numerous books spanning fiction, poetry, and historical commentary: 

Books: 

He published his first book, Children of Heaven, in 1987.

His notable titles include Bye, Bye Mugabe, a collection of short stories; collections of his poems in Children of Heaven, The Prophet Lied and Scarlet Tears of London;  The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream on the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria, In the House of Dogs and Diary of the Memory Keeper.

Prizes

Chima won the first prize in the national essay competition on What I Like Best in Nigeria organized by the Pop magazine in 1976.

His poem "Song of Patriotism" won the first prize in a national poetry competition on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1987.

His poem, "Empty Shells in Our Oil  Wells" was one of the finalists for the 2000 Music Society of Nigeria national poetry award.

His short story, "One Day at Obalende Bus Stop" won the third prize in the 2002 Lire en fête short story competition organized by the French Cultural Centre in Nigeria.

Early Success: 

He directed his first play at age 17 and at 18 he became the youngest independent professional scriptwriter for TV in Africa, writing episodes for the puppet drama series of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the largest TV network on the continent from 1981-84. See 

Nigeria: 'I Started Writing Professionally At 18' - allAfrica.com

https://allafrica.com/stories/201212030437.html

Visual Media: 

In 2016, he produced the photo album LAGOS in MOTION, documenting Africa's largest megacity from the principal photography of his first long documentary film project, "Lagos in Motion: Sights and Sounds of Africa's Largest Megacity".

Education & Affiliations

Education: He attended St. Gregory's College, Lagos, and later had further education from seminars and workshops by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1980, Book Development Council of Nigeria in 1982, Johns Hopkins University's Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) in 1984 and 1990,  PATH in 1985, UNICEF in Nigeria in 1988, World Health Organization (WHO) in 1993 and other organizations.

Memberships: 

He has been a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) since 1987, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC), Digital Cinema Society (DCS), International Law Office (ILO) and Online News Association (ONA). He participated in the Digital Media Law Project (DMLP), a major initiative based at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Originally founded in 2007 as the "Citizen Media Law Project," it provided legal resources and education for independent journalists and online media

Chima’s work often bridges the gap between sociocultural analysis and political documentation.

Focus on Nollywood

As a major stakeholder in the Nigerian film industry, Chima has documented its evolution through the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series: This is a comprehensive book series—available in print and digital formats—designed to capture the "big picture" of the industry for a global audience.

The First Edition celebrates Nollywood's icons, its emergence as an African phenomenon, and its strategy for breaking into global markets.

The Second Edition highlights "New Nollywood" developments (circa 2014), including the epic Invasion 1897, the evolution of digital filmmaking, and the first Hollywood star from Nigeria, Orlando Martins.

Film Festivals: 

He is the Founder and Festival Director of the annual Eko International Film Festival and Zenith International Film Festival.

Political Commentaries

His political writings focus on pivotal moments in Nigeria's democratic history:

The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream: This book serves as a personal testimony and historical chronicle of the 2015 presidential election. It analyzes the principal actors behind the first time an incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria’s history.

Digital & Periodical Analysis: Through his platforms Nigerians Report Online and Nigerian Times, he provides ongoing commentary on Nigerian federalism, social justice, and leadership.

Satirical Critique: 

Works like Bye, Bye Mugabe use short stories to offer a broader critique of African leadership and political dynamics beyond just Nigeria. 

About EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima

 

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima (also known by the pseudonym Orikinla Osinachi) is a prominent Nigerian writer, publisher, and multimedia producer born on January 30, 1963, in Lagos Island. 

Professional Roles & Media Presence

He is the Founder and CEO of the International Digital Post Network Limited, the first Nigerian company to attract the IMAX Corporation to Nigeria, King of Kings Books International and Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC). He secured International partnership with the Cinewav of Singapore for the "One Village, One Cinema" initiative and partnership with the 

International Chamber of Media & Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) of India for the Bollywood To Nollywood Filmmaking workshops for international co-productions between India and Nigeria.

Writer & Publisher: 

He is the Publisher/Editor of several online platforms, including Nigerians Report Online, Nigerian Times, and the Founder and Publisher/Editor of the popular NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

Consultant: 

He has served as a social media consultant and previously worked as a National Program Consultant for UNICEF Nigeria and independent Production Manager of "Money Wise" business magazine programme on DBN TV.

Advocacy: 

He is recognized for his advocacy for girl-child education supporting the compulsory education of the millions of underprivileged girls out of school in Nigeria.

Art, Literary & Creative Works

Chima is a notable artist with local and International exhibitions of his drawings and paintings. He  was the national curator for the 1993 World AIDS Day "Art Against AIDS" exhibitions at the National Museum and National Theatre in Nigeria.

He is a prolific writer who is the author of numerous books spanning fiction, poetry, and historical commentary: 

Books: 

He published his first book, Children of Heaven, in 1987.

His notable titles include Bye, Bye Mugabe, a collection of short stories; collections of his poems in Children of Heaven, The Prophet Lied and Scarlet Tears of London;  The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream on the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria, In the House of Dogs and Diary of the Memory Keeper.

Prizes

Chima won the first prize in the national essay competition on What I Like Best in Nigeria organized by the Pop magazine in 1976.

His poem "Song of Patriotism" won the first prize in a national poetry competition on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1987.

His poem, "Empty Shells in Our Oil  Wells" was one of the finalists for the 2000 Music Society of Nigeria national poetry award.

His short story, "One Day at Obalende Bus Stop" won the third prize in the 2002 Lire en fête short story competition organized by the French Cultural Centre in Nigeria.

Early Success: 

He directed his first play at age 17 and at 18 he became the youngest independent professional scriptwriter for TV in Africa, writing episodes for the puppet drama series of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the largest TV network on the continent from 1981-84. See 

Nigeria: 'I Started Writing Professionally At 18' - allAfrica.com

https://allafrica.com/stories/201212030437.html

Visual Media: 

In 2016, he produced the photo album LAGOS in MOTION, documenting Africa's largest megacity from the principal photography of his first long documentary film project, "Lagos in Motion: Sights and Sounds of Africa's Largest Megacity".

Education & Affiliations

Education: He attended St. Gregory's College, Lagos, and later had further education from seminars and workshops by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1980, Book Development Council of Nigeria in 1982, Johns Hopkins University's Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) in 1984 and 1990,  PATH in 1985, UNICEF in Nigeria in 1988, World Health Organization (WHO) in 1993 and other organizations.

Memberships: 

He has been a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) since 1987, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC), Digital Cinema Society (DCS), International Law Office (ILO) and Online News Association (ONA). He participated in the Digital Media Law Project (DMLP), a major initiative based at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Originally founded in 2007 as the "Citizen Media Law Project," it provided legal resources and education for independent journalists and online media

Chima’s work often bridges the gap between sociocultural analysis and political documentation.

Focus on Nollywood

As a major stakeholder in the Nigerian film industry, Chima has documented its evolution through the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series: This is a comprehensive book series—available in print and digital formats—designed to capture the "big picture" of the industry for a global audience.

The First Edition celebrates Nollywood's icons, its emergence as an African phenomenon, and its strategy for breaking into global markets.

The Second Edition highlights "New Nollywood" developments (circa 2014), including the epic Invasion 1897, the evolution of digital filmmaking, and the first Hollywood star from Nigeria, Orlando Martins.

Film Festivals: 

He is the Founder and Festival Director of the annual Eko International Film Festival and Zenith International Film Festival.

Political Commentaries

His political writings focus on pivotal moments in Nigeria's democratic history:

The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream: This book serves as a personal testimony and historical chronicle of the 2015 presidential election. It analyzes the principal actors behind the first time an incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria’s history.

Digital & Periodical Analysis: Through his platforms Nigerians Report Online and Nigerian Times, he provides ongoing commentary on Nigerian federalism, social justice, and leadership.

Satirical Critique: 

Works like Bye, Bye Mugabe use short stories to offer a broader critique of African leadership and political dynamics beyond just Nigeria. 

Contact:

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Founder/ CEO,

International Digital Post Network Limited,

Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC)

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

New Nigeria

www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport

The Lamentation of Vershima

 

The Lamentation of Vershima

If you don't flee from the devil

He will do worse evil!

The nomadic beasts of no nation

They trampled on my plantation

They came from across the borders

The mooing herds and their wandering headers

They invaded my farmlands with their animals

Animals with one thousand horns

and two thousand hooves.

They came before the first raindrops

They trampled on my virgin crops.

They broke the maiden head of Dooshima, my beloved daughter

When she went early to the stream to fetch water.

She crawled back home bleeding  in pains and tears.

Her agonies left me with chilling fears.

Her wailing mother Mimidoo,.was rolling on the floor.

I was shaking as I bolted the door.

The arrows have pierced my heart.

The horrors have torn me apart.

I have harrowing agonies that cannot be written.

I have eerie nightmares that you have not seen.

The unseen tears I have shed

As I was writhing in my broken bed.

Aondo! Aondo!! Aondo!!!

Aôndo u Ijirôron!

U ngu hana hegon?

Va tese er u lu Aôndo u ageegh yô!

Are you no longer our defender?

I have abandoned the Kwagh-Hir!

I have torn my A'nger in anger.

There is no one to sound the indyer!

Otapia, the town crier can no longer cry

His booming voice no longer echoes in the sky.

There is no one left to receive his message

Since we have fled from our village.

- - By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

On Saturday,. January 16, 2026.

Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

For my new book of my original poems, "Dance of Locusts".

PS:

The first sentence shows that the herders trespassing on the lands of the Middle Belt of Nigeria actually don't believe in borders of any nation. Majority of them don't have any passport of any national identity.

All the names are in Tiv language.

Aôndo u Ijirôron!

U ngu hana hegon?

Va tese er u lu Aôndo u ageegh yô!

Means

God of Justice!

Where are you now?

Come and show that you are the mighty God!

Background History and Recent Reports

Key Aspects of the Crisis

Victims and Perpetrators:

The violence disproportionately affects indigenous, predominantly Christian, farming communities, with perpetrators often identified by survivors and some reports as Fulani ethnic militias.

Scale and Impact:

The conflict has led to thousands of deaths (some estimates suggest over 60,000 across the region over decades) and the displacement of millions, creating a significant humanitarian crisis and worsening food insecurity. In Benue State alone, over 6,800 people were reportedly murdered between 2023 and May 2025.

Narratives and Terminology:

There is a significant dispute over how to describe the conflict.

"Ethnic Cleansing" / "Genocide": Local leaders, victims, and advocacy groups argue the term "ethnic cleansing" or "genocide" is more appropriate than "farmer-herder clashes". They point to patterns of systematic attacks, the burning of churches, and the permanent displacement of communities, followed by new settlement in those areas. The Middle Belt Forum has demanded a UN inquiry into the alleged genocide.

Farmer-Herder Clashes: Successive Nigerian governments and some international agencies have tended to frame the violence as a result of resource competition (land and water) exacerbated by climate change and population growth.

This narrative is criticized by many victims as a form of denial that obscures the ethnic and religious motivations of the attacks and absolves perpetrators of accountability.

Historical Context:

Tensions are rooted in long-standing historical grievances, including the 19th-century Islamic jihad led by Usman dan Fodio and resistance to the subsequent Sokoto Caliphate's influence. These historical narratives shape contemporary perceptions, with some viewing the violence as a continuation of historical aggression.

Government Response:

The Nigerian government has faced severe criticism for its perceived failure to protect victims, ensure accountability, and address the underlying causes of the violence.

There is a widely held belief among affected communities that security forces are either indifferent or complicit.

International Attention: While international bodies have been warned of worsening atrocities in the region, the focus has often remained on other issues like Boko Haram.

The lack of international recognition of the crisis as "genocide" or "ethnic cleansing" is a major point of contention for advocacy groups.

The situation remains a complex and devastating crisis, with ongoing violence and an urgent need for nuanced attention and effective intervention to address the intertwined ethnic, religious, and socio-economic dimensions.

Middle Belt - Wikipedia

Ethnoreligious conflicts. ... Surrounded by divergent religious, economic, and cultural histories, the Middle Belt has been the melting pot where small and larg...

The violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt has long historical roots.

11 Aug 2025 —

There is systematic violence taking place in Nigeria's Middle Belt, writes Onyedikachi Madueke. The government calls it local skirmishes, but the reality goes d...

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Conflict and Killings in Nigeria's Middle Belt

17 Dec 2020 — The underlying causes of the conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt are complex and varied. They include competition for access to land and other resources between p...

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission | (.gov)

Middle Belt Civic Leaders Decry Ethnic Cleansing and Unchecked ...

16 May 2025 — Civic Coalition Warns of National Implications. The Civic Coalition's May 14th statement echoes this distress. Describing the violence as a “region-wide campaig...

Truth Nigeria

Climate Cover, Ethnic Crime: The Story Behind Nigeria's Middle Belt ...

10 Nov 2025 — A TruthNigeria Analysis: Nigerian Government Denial Gets Propped up by False Narratives. ... (Abuja) For more than a decade, Christian communities across Nigeri...

Truth Nigeria

Long Read: Violence in Nigeria's 'Middle Belt' States

19 Mar 2021 — So what can we do about these Challenges? * Religious persecution: While the underlying causes of violence are complex, attacks in the Middle Belt by Islamist F...

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART)

The Politics of Eco-Violence: Why Is Conflict Escalating in ...

19 Oct 2022 — 20 According to a 2021 study, 309,231 individuals were displaced in the Middle Belt, with 204,193 displaced due to communal violence in Benue State alone, makin...

Taylor & Francis Online

Ethnic cleansing in the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria

Conclusion: Ethnic cleansing. ... There have been continuous attacks against Christians in the Middle Belt to force them to leave their ancestral land. As a res...

Open Doors Analytical

Silent Emergency: The Unending Cycle of Ethnic ...

1 Feb 2025 — HumAngle explores the ethnic, religious, and environmental roots of the farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt, its devastating toll on communities, an...

HumAngle

UN warned of worsening atrocities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt

1 Dec 2025 — UN warned of worsening Atrocities in Nigeria's Middle Belt

International Bar Association | IBA

In Nigeria's diverse Middle Belt, a drying landscape deepens violent ...

8 Mar 2018 — Violent clashes between semi-nomadic cattle herders like the Fulani and farming communities have increased in recent years – particularly in Nigeria's Middle Be...

The Christian Science Monitor

Fulani Herdsmen On A Deadly Mission - Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust

4 Oct 2017 — Similarly, the international community remains silent in relation to the violence in the Middle Belt region, while only focusing on Boko Haram in Northern Niger...

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART)

M’Belt Forum Demands UN Inquiry Over Alleged Genocide

Plateau killing: m'belt Forum demands un inquiry over alleged genocide

The Whistler Newspaper

Ombatse: Disenfranchisement and Violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt

21 Aug 2013 — Our forefathers had their own way of worship... Now, what led to us to bring back this traditional worship is the complaints we receive from our people about th...

Photo Credit: Humangleedia
https://humanglemedia.com/more-pictures-from-nigerias-middle-belt-crisis-have-surfaced-some-are-misleading/

The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series: The First Book Series on Nollywood and the Nigerian Film Industry

 

The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series refers to books and potential media by Michael Chima Ekenyerengozi, chronicling Nigerian cinema (Nollywood).

The Book Series:

Author: Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, a Nigerian writer and film festival director.

Content: A publication capturing the big picture of current Nollywood affairs, aiming to share Nollywood's story globally.

Formats: Available in print (paperback, hardcover) and digital formats. 

In essence, "The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series" bridges literary analysis and popular Nollywood storytelling under one brand, reflecting the dynamism of the African film industry.

The Cultural and Political Impact of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima 

The NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima contributes to Nollywood's overall cultural impact by documenting the industry's significant role in shaping African narratives and, to a lesser extent, touches upon potential political influence through its discussions of the industry's economic potential and societal reflections. 

Cultural Impact

Promoting Pan-African Culture: The series contributes to the broader Nollywood phenomenon, which has a massive reach across Africa, influencing norms and values, and promoting Nigerian, and by extension, African culture globally. Nollywood films offer a homegrown perspective on African realities, challenging Western media stereotypes and fostering a sense of shared identity.

Cultural Documentation: The series itself serves as a documentation of "current affairs and highlights in the Nigerian film industry". It provides a comprehensive look for a global audience, helping to preserve and disseminate information about the industry's growth, challenges, and evolution.

Encouraging Honest Conversations:

 By showcasing the complexities of Nigerian life, including issues like corruption, the series (like Nollywood films generally) opens avenues for honest discussions about societal challenges while also highlighting rich history and accomplishments. 

Political Impact

Economic Advocacy: Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima has used his platform within the series and other publications to highlight Nollywood's significant economic potential. For instance, he stated the industry could turn Nigerian tourism into a "billion dollar industry". This advocacy can influence policymakers to provide better infrastructure, regulatory support, and investment for the creative sector.

Soft Power: 

The massive popularity of Nollywood films across the continent, which the series documents, demonstrates Nigeria's significant "soft power." 

This cultural dominance can indirectly affect political relations and perceptions of Nigeria in other African nations.

Mirroring Societal Issues: Nollywood films, by serving as a "mirror that reflects the complexities of Nigerian life", often address political corruption and ethnic tensions. 

By documenting these trends, the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series implicitly highlights the role of film in political discourse, even if not directly political itself.

Available on

https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/nollywood-mirror-r/author/michael-chima-ekenyerengozi

ONE NATION, ONE LAW: NIGERIA MUST END SHARIA IN THE CONSTITUTION AND EMBRACE A MODERN SECURITY DOCTRINE

ONE NATION, ONE LAW: NIGERIA MUST END SHARIA IN THE CONSTITUTION AND EMBRACE A MODERN SECURITY DOCTRINE

By BENSON SNUDAY, Human Rights Activist & Nigerian Nationalist

---

Nigeria Needs Truth, Not Hypocrisy

Nigeria’s greatest threat is not only terrorism itself — but the contradictions, mixed messages, and religious politics that weaken our ability to confront it.
For years, Nigerians have watched influential voices speak in ways that blur moral clarity and confuse the national conversation on security.

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi Cannot Rewrite History with a Facebook Post
This week, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi released a Facebook message condemning “insecurity sponsors.”
Yet Nigerians cannot forget the long record of public comments in which he:

• Described armed bandits as “misunderstood”

• Criticized military operations more than the crimes of violent groups

• Advocated for amnesty at times when the nation was burying victims

• Shifted blame to vague “foreign powers” rather than confronting local realities

These positions were widely reported across mainstream Nigerian media.
So today, when he speaks as though he is leading the moral charge, Nigerians are right to demand consistency.

“A single Facebook prayer cannot erase years of damaging rhetoric.”

Accountability Applies to All — Including the Sultan of Sokoto
With great authority comes great responsibility.
Public expectations of clarity and moral leadership from the Sultan of Sokoto are legitimate.
When insecurity rages, religious and traditional leaders cannot remain ambiguous.

The nation is watching every voice that shapes the moral landscape.

⚖ End Dual Legal Systems — One Nigeria, One Law
Nigeria cannot thrive under a constitutional structure that preserves parallel legal systems.
Sharia courts in the constitution — no matter their intention — undermine national unity and equality under the law.

Religion belongs in the soul.
Law belongs to the nation.

We demand:

• END SHARIA IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION

• ONE NATION, ONE LAW

• A SECULAR LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ALL NIGERIANS

“A united country cannot have divided laws.”

The Israel Security Debate — A Missed Opportunity
Before the intervention of former U.S. President Donald Trump in Nigeria’s security dialogue,
the Nigerian government — through Deputy Foreign Minister Bianca Ojukwu — made a bold and forward-looking diplomatic move:

Opening strategic security cooperation with the State of Israel
A nation globally respected for its experience in intelligence, counter-terror operations,
hostage rescue, and advanced security technology.
This proposal represented a chance for Nigeria to modernize its security architecture.
But instead of national unity around the idea, the country witnessed public pushback from some clerics and Islamic groups like Shk Gumi, Muric, Islamic Supreme Council Among Others, who opposed the partnership.
This opposition delayed momentum, weakened political courage, and ultimately slowed reforms that could have saved lives.

Nigerians remember that moment.
They remember who stood with progress — and who resisted it.

“You cannot resist meaningful security reforms yesterday, and pretend to lead the fight against insecurity today.”

Mr. President — Nigeria Needs Transparency and Action
President Tinubu, the nation respects your commitment to unity and stability.
But Nigerians demand decisive steps:

1. Publish the full list of terror financiers and enablers.
Transparency is overdue. Accountability cannot be selective.
2. Revive and fast-track Nigeria’s security cooperation with Israel
in partnership with the United States and other capable allies.
This includes intelligence sharing, advanced training, defensive technology, and border security support.
3. Empower Nigeria’s security leadership
We welcome the return of General Christopher Musa to the top command structure.
Nigeria would benefit from full collaboration between Gen. Musa, Deputy Minister Bianca Ojukwu, and our international partners to build the strongest anti-terror network in West Africa.

“No President is endangered by telling the truth. The nation will defend any leader who chooses transparency over silence.”

⚠To All Who Undermine Nigeria’s Security — Directly or Indirectly
Those who use influence, ambiguity, or silence to weaken national unity
must understand that Nigeria is changing.

Titles will not shield bad decisions.
Institutions will not shield complacency.
History will not shield hypocrisy.

Justice is rising.
The people are awake.
The era of sacred cows is ending.

Nigeria Will Rise — But Only Through Truth and Unity
From Zamfara to Benue, Borno to Kaduna, the blood of innocent Nigerians cries not for charity —
but for justice, reform, and courage.
A nation divided by law cannot unite against terror.

One Nation. One Law.
End Sharia in the Constitution.
End hypocrisy.
End secrecy.
Embrace truth.
Embrace reform.

Nigeria deserves nothing less.
And Nigerians will demand nothing less.