Governor BabajideSanwo-Olu has pledged to strengthen support for Nigeria’s film sector while
launching a fresh offensive against piracy, which he says threatens the
economic viability of the creative industry.
Speaking on Saturday at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu praised the ceremony’s annual growth and signalled ambitions for the event to become ever more substantial and impactful.
“It keeps getting better every single year,” he told the assembled
producers, directors, and entertainment figures.
Nigeria’s film industry Africa’s largest by output has grown substantially in
recent years, generating billions in revenue and creating employment for
hundreds of thousands. However, the sector faces mounting pressure from film piracy, which industry observers estimate costs local producers tens of
millions of dollars annually.
The governor called on industry practitioners to unite against intellectual property theft, warning that “all the great work you are doing will amount to nothing if we allow piracy to take the shine away from it all.”
He promised that Lagos state would introduce new policies designed to position Nigeria as a global entertainment powerhouse. “We will continue to create policies and programs that will make this industry not just the best in Nigeria, not just the best in Africa, but the best in the world,”
Sanwo-Olu said.
The comments reflect growing political interest in shielding Nigeria’s
entertainment sector as a driver of soft power and economic growth. The film
industry generated an estimated $7.14 billion for the Nigerian economy in 2021, according to industry data, making it a key priority for policymakers seeking revenue diversification beyond oil.
The governor concluded by commending the organisers of the AMVCA for sustaining the awards platform and all participants for their contributions to the industry’s reputation and expansion.
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