Dr. Mo Abudu, founder of EbonyLife Group, has called on Nigerian filmmakers and storytellers to preserve the authenticity of African narratives while striving for global appeal. She made the remarks during her keynote address at a two-day conference organized by the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
Abudu emphasized the importance of cultural integrity in storytelling, cautioning filmmakers against losing the essence of Nigerian and African stories in a bid to cater to global audiences.
“One of them is that we are authentic to the story that we are telling,” Abudu said. “As Nigerians, we are quite authentic, but we sometimes try to move into spaces that are not ours. We are trying to be who we are not, and that may distract from who we are. People can tell what is real and what isn’t. It is very important that we tell our stories as Africans and Nigerians while remaining authentic.”
Balancing Local and Global Audiences
Addressing the need to cater to a global audience, Abudu urged filmmakers to incorporate universal themes into their narratives. “There are universal themes that should be part of the stories we are telling. Themes like love, ambition, resilience, justice, and the archetypes of the cool guy and the bad guy resonate across cultures and can help elevate our stories to a global platform,” she said.
Collaboration and High-Quality Production
Abudu also highlighted the critical role of high-quality production in achieving international recognition. She stressed the importance of collaboration among filmmakers, particularly in overcoming the challenges of restricted budgets.
“It is important that we understand there is an international standard. With many filmmakers having restricted budgets, collaboration becomes essential. Pooling resources to create a global blockbuster will allow our stories to travel farther and earn more,” the 60-year-old media executive noted.
Moving Nigerian Cinema Forward
As a prominent figure in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, Abudu’s call aligns with ongoing efforts to boost the global visibility of Nigerian films, often referred to as “Nollywood.” Her emphasis on authenticity, universal storytelling, and collaboration reflects a roadmap for Nigerian creatives to thrive on the global stage while staying true to their roots.
