Home Video Era

1980s - Late 2000s

HOME VIDEO ERA

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Snippet from Aki na Ukwa

With the fall of cinema culture and the rise of television, VCR, and CD technology, a new era of Nollywood emerged. The films in this era were often of low quality, scrappy, and released in quick succession due to a lack of proper funding and expertise by practitioners.

However, despite the scrappy nature of the industry at the time, it dominated African screens through great performances by actors and telling culturally relevant stories.

At its peak, Nollywood was estimated to be producing about 50 movies weekly. Around 2008, the industry was releasing approximately 200 video films monthly, making it the second-largest producer.

NOTABLE FILMS

Jimi Odumosu's Evil Encounter, a 1983 horror film released directly on television, was the first production to be a pointer to how lucrative making film directly on video could be.

EVIL ENCOUNTER

The film was a huge hit in the Alaba electronics market, an important distribution venue for Nollywood films. After the commercial success of Evil Encounter on the illegal market, TV broadcasts were routinely recorded and sold on the streets.

Living in Bondage is a 1992/93 Nigerian two-part drama thriller film directed by Chris Obi Rapu. The film was shot straight-to-video, and it is regarded as the first Nigerian home video which achieved blockbuster success.

Living in Bondage

After Living in Bondage, more filmmakers, including those in TV, embraced video, and a new era of Nigerian cinema emerged—one that brought unprecedented commercial success.

Papa Ajasco and Company (formerly The Ajasco Family) is a Nigerian family television sitcom created by Wale Adenuga in 1996. It is described as the first blockbuster in Nigeria, grossing approximately ₦21,552,673 in three days.

Papa Ajasco and Company

At its prime, Papa Ajasco was widely considered to be Nigeria's most watched comedy series, viewed weekly in twelve African countries.

Aki na Ukwa is a 2002 Nigerian family comedy film directed by Amayo Uzo Philips. The film has been regarded as one of the finest ever films in Nigerian cinema mainly for the introduction of Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze in the lead roles playing the so-called characters of PawPaw and Aki respectively.

AKI NA UKWA

So popular were their roles that fans never recalled the movie’s title and assumed it was ‘Aki and Pawpaw’.The duo rose to stardom and became overnight sensations in Nigeria for their performance in the film since its release. Since then, the duo have starred together in several films in the lead roles.

Osuofia in London is a 2003 Nigerian comedy film produced and directed by Kingsley Ogoro, starring Nkem Owoh. The film is arguably one of the highest selling Nollywood films in history.It was followed by 2004 sequel titled Osuofia in London 2.

OSUOFIA IN LONDON

The film earned him critical acclaim and the nickname, Osuofia.

KEY FIGURES

LADI LADEBO

The man, Kenneth Nnebue was behind Nek Videos, the outfit that produced some of Nollywood’s best flicks in the 90s. The story of Nollywood cannot be complete today without a credit being given to Kenneth Nnebue as the man that produced some of Nollywood’s earliest and best movies.

ZEB EJIRO

Zebulun Ejiro is a Nigerian filmmaker who held sway in the Nollywood from the late 1980s to the next two decades. In November 2005, Zeb received a National award of Order of the Federal Republic in recognition of his immense contributions to the Nigerian film industry.

OLU JACOBS

Oludotun Jacobs, known professionally as Olu Jacobs, is a Nigerian actor and film executive. Olu Jacobs has been hailed by many as one of the greatest, most widely respected African actors of his generation and a cultural icon. With more than 40 years of acting experience, he is seen as a bridge between the old and new breed of actors

SOLA SOBOWALE

Sola Sobowale is one of Nollywood's most influential veteran actresses. With a career spanning more than three decades, Sola Sobowale is a force in the Nollywood industry. She is a Nigerian film actress, screenwriter, film director and film producer. Sola Sobowale had her big break in 2001, in the premiere of Nigeria's popular television drama series Super Story: Oh Father, Oh Daughter. Recently her career reinventing role in 'King of Boys' produced and written by Kemi Adetiba, launched the veteran actress into another dimension of her career.

PETE EDOCHIE

Chief Pete Edochie, is a Nigerian actor. Edochie is considered one of Nigeria’s most talented actors, being honored with an Industry Merit Award by Africa Magic and Lifetime Achievement by Africa Film Academy. In 2003, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the Niger by President Olusegun Obasanjo, an award given to a person who has contributed immensely to the economic growth and development of the country through entertainment.

CLARION CHUKWURAH

Chief Clarion Chukwurah is a Nigerian actress and humanitarian. She was the first Nigerian to win the Best Actress category at the 1982 FESPACO film festival in Burkina Faso.

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