AGN Urges Investment In Women As Nollywood Marks IWD
Nollywood Leaders Highlight Role of Women in Industry Growth
STAKEHOLDERS in Nigeria’s film industry have called for stronger support systems and expanded opportunities for women as the Actors Guild of Nigeria marked the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the guild’s National President, Abubakar Yakubu, said women have made profound contributions to the development of Nollywood and remain central to its continued growth.
Yakubu described women as creative drivers in the industry whose resilience and talent have helped shape the global recognition of Nigerian films.
He stressed that empowering women in the creative sector would not only strengthen the film industry but also contribute to national development.
Creating Platforms for Women in Film
Yakubu urged partners, investors and stakeholders to support programmes that provide training, mentorship and welfare support for female actors and filmmakers.
He noted that building inclusive spaces where women’s voices are heard and their talents nurtured is essential for sustaining the growth of the industry.
“We must continue to create spaces where their voices are heard, their talents celebrated and their dreams supported,” he said.
Women’s Contributions and Existing Barriers
In her remarks, the National Women Leader of the guild, Oby Okafor, emphasised that women have been instrumental in Nollywood’s rise to global prominence.
She said female professionals have distinguished themselves across different areas of filmmaking—from acting and directing to production, scriptwriting and technical roles.
However, she observed that many women still face obstacles such as limited access to funding, training opportunities and leadership positions within the industry.
Okafor therefore proposed initiatives aimed at empowering women through professional training, mentorship programmes, networking platforms and increased access to funding.
She also advocated gender-inclusive leadership structures within industry associations and stronger partnerships with government and private sector organisations.
Stakeholders Call for Wider Industry Support
Also addressing the gathering, Titi Abubakar of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation commended Nollywood actors for promoting social values through their storytelling.
She said the foundation was ready to collaborate with the Actors Guild to address issues such as human trafficking and child labour.
Filmmaker and former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, also urged private investors to support Nigeria’s creative industry.
According to her, Nigeria possesses a vast pool of talented young people who could be productively engaged if more resources were invested in the sector.
The celebration brought together actors, filmmakers and other stakeholders who used the occasion to highlight the achievements of women in Nollywood while calling for sustained efforts toward gender inclusion in the industry.
