An examination of factors that contributed to the development of the Nigerian video-film industry, 1988 – 2006

Abstract The irruption onto the scene and the subsequent development of the Nigerian video-film, as it was then called, has often been attributed to the chance event of a businessman finding himself with the need to dispose of a shipment of video tapes. This rather simplistic view fails to take cognisance of various other elements that came together to make the evolution of the industry possible. Based on a review of literature, this paper examines the development of the industry between 1988 and 2006 to show that it was the fruit of the combination of various factors. Findings show that these factors include the colonial experience, the advent of television and the contribution of the Yoruba travelling theatre, the 1980s socioeconomic situation and the technological innovations of the period. These were matched by the industriousness and determination of the Nigerian film producers. The development of the industry demonstrates the resilience of the filmmakers and their ability to respond to difficulties, but its continued growth requires that it further develops its ability to respond to new realities. Key Words: Nollywood; Video-film; Technological innovation; Yoruba travelling theatre About the Author * Ikechukwu Francis Obiaya, Ph.D., is a lecturer at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. His research interests include the Nigerian film industry and the Nigerian creative industries. JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 17, No. 2, October 2025, pp. 25-36 © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). Article Citation Obiaya, I. F. (2025). An examination of factors that contributed to the development of the Nigerian video-film industry, 1988 – 2006. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 17 (2): 25-36. Full Article Words: 8,050 Pages: 13 To access full article, click on download.