Senator Ned Nwoko Pledges N200 Million for Nollywood Talent Hunt, Calls for Greater Government Investment in Film Industry
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In a rousing speech that drew applause and laughter, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, husband to Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, has pledged a sum of N200 million towards a talent hunt initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing young Nigerian acting talents.
The announcement was made at the commissioning of the new National Office of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), the unveiling of the prototype for the proposed AGN Nollywood Centre, and the launch of the AGN Super App, on Saturday in Abuja.
Addressing guests and members of the Guild shortly after the welcome speech by AGN President, Dr. Emeka Rollas (MON), Senator Nwoko began on a lighthearted note, joking with the audience and the AGN President about whether or not he should approach the podium.
“All I just want is to be heard,” Nwoko said playfully as he preferred to speak from the floor to maintain interaction with the attendees. “According to the programme, this is the welcome address, isn’t it? I think that’s what you said. So, you are all welcome!”
Moving to a more serious tone, the Delta North Senator expressed his long-standing support for the Nollywood industry, emphasizing that his involvement is not merely because of his wife’s career as an actress but also because of his deep appreciation for the industry’s potential and impact.
“The President has virtually said all that I would have said,” Nwoko began. “We began this journey together when he became the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, and I’m happy that we have come to this point today where we are opening this particular building. But as you rightly said, there’s a bigger project – the Nollywood Centre – which we all will work towards achieving in due course.”
Highlighting Nollywood’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy, Nwoko drew a comparison with Hollywood and its influence on California’s economy.
“When anybody talks about Hollywood, all that comes to mind is Los Angeles, isn’t it? Hollywood is Los Angeles; Los Angeles is Hollywood,” he said. “And the huge revenue you hear about in California is largely because of Hollywood.”
He stressed that Nollywood is already a major income earner for Nigeria, but lamented that the industry has operated largely as an informal sector due to insufficient government support.
“You’ve achieved so much on your own,” Nwoko praised the industry stakeholders. “But with time, and with my discussions with the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, I know there’s a push towards serious interventions in this sector. I’m also doing my part.”
Senator Nwoko disclosed that he has been encouraging his wife, Regina Daniels, to produce a television series that will serve as a talent discovery platform for Nigerian youths.
“My wife will tell you that in the past six months, I’ve been pushing her to start a series—not just for the sake of it, but as an opportunity to talent hunt for young ones,” he said. “You know, many big series you see in the UK, America, Australia, India, and Mexico have become generational legacies because of the continuity and the platform they provide.”
Announcing his financial commitment, Nwoko declared, “To start that, the talent hunt and the rest of them, I am putting down N200 million on Monday so that our young ones will be given that opportunity.”
The Senator stressed the importance of private sector and individual support for Nollywood, in addition to government backing.
“You guys have done so well on your own, but you need individual support from people like us,” he said. “Let me tell you how proud I am of your industry.”
Referencing his political advocacy for the creation of Anioma State, Nwoko mentioned Nollywood as one of the economic strengths of the proposed state.
“When they ask me in the Senate, ‘What are the resources of Anioma State?’ I tell them that seven out of the nine local government areas have oil and gas,” he said. “The next thing I tell them is that Asaba is the home of Nollywood. Don’t you agree with me?”
Senator Nwoko called on the government to increase funding and infrastructural support for the industry to help Nollywood productions reach global standards.
“We need governments to put in the funds and ensure that you are empowered to do what you do best,” he said. “You are known globally. All that is needed is just a small tweak to make the quality of your productions comparable with those from the UK, America, and other advanced markets.”
The Senator rounded off his speech with optimism and encouragement, promising continued support and partnership with the industry.
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