Kanayo O. Kanayo and Others Debate Nollywood's Origins

A viral video featuring actors Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Charles Awurum, and Stephen Alajemba, currently in Ghana, has sparked renewed debate regarding the origins of Nigeria's film industry. The actors argue that discussions about Nollywood must recognize the contributions of Hubert Ogunde, who produced cinema films prior to the significant 1992 home-video production "Living in Bondage." Kanayo O. Kanayo asserted that the home-video era began with "Living in Bondage," but it does not represent the entirety of the film industry.

This discussion follows Pete Edochie's claims on the "Curiosity Made Me Ask" podcast, where he stated he began acting at age 15, before Nollywood was established, citing his role in the adaptation of "Things Fall Apart" as evidence of his seniority in the profession. The video has prompted a broader conversation, with users highlighting the thriving cinema culture in southwestern Nigeria before the home-video boom, mentioning pioneers such as Ola Balogun, Ade Afolayan, and Eddie Ugbomah.