Igbos Built Modern Nollywood But Yorubas Have Become More Dominant— Actor Francis Duru

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has sparked debate over ethnic influence in Nigeria’s film industry, arguing that although Igbos played a major role in building modern Nollywood, Yorubas have become more dominant because they are better at organising and promoting their own.

Speaking on Gbam, aired on Yan Content Factory’s YouTube channel, Duru acknowledged Yoruba pioneers such as Herbert Ogunde, who contributed to Nigerian theatre and performance arts in the 1950s. However, he said Igbo entrepreneurs, particularly traders, largely drove the home-video industry in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Duru said Yorubas have been more effective at pooling resources, creating opportunities for their people and protecting their culture.

“We [Igbos] created Nollywood, but if you go to Netflix today, you hardly see one movie that speaks of Igbo heritage. But the Yorubas, on the other hand, created opportunities for themselves and utilised them,” he said.

He blamed what he called an individualistic mentality among some Igbos for their loss of influence, saying Igbo history and culture are increasingly being portrayed by outsiders.

“We have great writers who are now writing for the Yorubas. You even see the Yorubas crossing over to write Igbo stories like Ahamefuna and making a mess of who we are,” he said.

Duru urged Igbos not to be angry with Yoruba filmmakers, saying, “These are people who saw their own and protected their own.”

He also questioned why films had not been made about prominent Igbo figures, asking, “When was the last time you saw the epic of one of these great men?”