A professional and transformative force in Nollywood, Sunny Ndubuisi Okonkwo, has urged the Nigerian government to intervene in making the movie industry more productive and protected.
Okonkwo, who is also an influential figure reshaping the narrative as a data professional, information management consultant, storyteller and award winning filmmaker, noted that government’s commitment to enhancing the industry’s financial health should mirror the success of the Nollywood intervention fund concurrently.
“Government should invest in state-of-the-art studios, inspired by local success stories like EbonyLife Studios. This will amplify the industry’s production capabilities. They should also focus on training and education by strengthening ties with institutions such as National Film Institute (NFI) and Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). Government should equally ensure an increased support for training programmes, continuous influx of skilled professionals, while nurturing the industry’s talent pool,” he remarked.
The filmmaker further pleaded for intellectual property protection and market access. “Intensifying efforts to fortify copyright laws against piracy is crucial. Collaborations with popular distribution platforms like Netflix and IrokoTV offer gateways to expanded global market access, exemplified by the success of local filmmakers on these platforms.”