Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Odega has expressed concern over what he described as a steady drop in the quality of films produced in Nollywood.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Where Is The Lie podcast, Odega compared the present state of the industry to its earlier years, arguing that filmmaking standards were higher when he and his peers were active at the forefront.
According to the actor, scripts in the early days often resulted in memorable productions that resonated with audiences. He claimed that today’s output, by contrast, frequently falls short of expectations.
“In those days, a single script could produce an unforgettable film,” Odega said. “Now, one script can be stretched into several productions that don’t meet the same standard.”
Odega also reflected on his longstanding involvement in the industry, stating that he was part of the foundational generation that helped shape Nollywood before it gained widespread recognition.
He explained that the professional body for actors was initially known as the Nigerian Actors Guild (NAG) before it was renamed the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). According to him, the term “Nollywood” emerged after those early organisational efforts had already taken root.
Describing himself as one of the industry’s pioneers, Odega said he has spent three decades in the movie business and witnessed its transformation firsthand.
His remarks add to ongoing conversations about the evolution of Nollywood, an industry that has grown into one of the largest film producers globally but continues to face debates about consistency, originality, and production standards.
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