Charles Inojie Defends Nollywood: “Blaming Us Won’t Fix Society’s Problems”
Veteran actor Charles Inojie has pushed back against criticisms of Nollywood, arguing that the industry is not responsible for Nigeria’s societal challenges.
Speaking during an interview with Saturday Beat, Inojie stressed the importance of families instilling values in the younger generation, instead of placing blame on the film industry. He asserted that Nollywood merely reflects the realities of society, rather than creating its issues.
“Nollywood movies don’t create societal ills like ritual killings, spiritual fortification, internet fraud, or organ harvesting,” Inojie stated. “These are problems that already exist, and the industry is exposing them, not promoting them.”
The actor addressed accusations that Nollywood films overly focus on ritual themes, saying, “Can we, in good faith, claim that all Nollywood movies are based on rituals? The fact that these stories exist is proof that such practices are happening in our society.”
Inojie also highlighted real-life scenarios that mirror the themes depicted in Nollywood productions, noting, “We’ve heard of pastors burying bodies under their pulpits for spiritual power, or influential figures engaging in bizarre rituals. Why is it that when movies address these realities, they’re met with criticism?”
He also pointed to family dynamics as a significant factor contributing to societal decay. “We’ve seen parents celebrating their unemployed children returning home with flashy cars, without questioning how they got them,” Inojie said. “Nollywood didn’t create that. We need to return to instilling family values, teaching our kids the meaning of dignity in labor, and helping them understand that quick fixes often lead to catastrophe.”
Inojie concluded by urging critics to focus on addressing the root causes of societal issues rather than scapegoating the film industry. “Nollywood is not our problem,” he emphasized.
