n Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa (JGIDA) - Technology's transformative power : a case of Nollywood

Abstract

Of the developments in media technologies, that have impacted Nigeria's media landscape, in recent times; the single most powerful development is perhaps video technology. The technology that was introduced into the country in the 1970s, by Igbo businessmen, went on to launch Nigeria's popular video film industry, Nollywood, and in so doing transformed the face of film and television production in the country. Whether it be hailed as the most visible form of popular expression in contemporary Nigeria or denigrated for the poor quality of its productions, what is not in doubt is that Nollywood offerings must resonate with the Nigerian film audiences going by the rate at which the industry releases video films. Why then has the video film industry succeeded where the Nigerian celluloid film industry failed? This article adopts a historical and critical approach to account for the failure of the celluloid film industry and Nollywood's ever rising popularity.