Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Odega, a familiar face in Nollywood known for his comedic timing and the viral “Gerrara Here” catchphrase that once lit up social media, has sparked fresh debate about the state of the Nigerian film industry.
In a candid and reflective interview on the popular Where Is The Lie podcast, hosted by Theo Ezenwa, the seasoned performer did not mince words: he believes the quality of Nollywood movies has drastically declined compared to the era when he and his contemporaries were at the forefront.
Odega, who proudly positions himself as one of the true pioneers of Nollywood, traced his roots in the industry back more than three decades. “I was among the people who made Nollywood,” he asserted during the episode. “When we started, Nollywood was just a phenomenon.”
He recalled the early organizational days, when actors were united under the banner of the Nigerian Actors Guild, later rebranded as the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), long before the term “Nollywood” entered the global lexicon around the mid-1990s explosion of video films.
For Odega, the contrast between then and now is stark. He described the golden age of Nigerian cinema as one where creativity and storytelling reigned supreme. “Back then, one script would give us one unforgettable movie,” he said. Films from that period—often shot on tight budgets with raw passion—left lasting impressions on audiences, becoming cultural touchstones that people still reference today.
In sharp contrast, he argued, the modern Nollywood landscape prioritizes volume over substance. “But now, one script can give you seven bad movies, and that’s not right,” Odega lamented. He pointed to the common practice of stretching a single storyline across multiple parts—frequently labeled “Part 1 to 7″—which he sees as diluting narratives, exhausting viewers, and undermining artistic integrity.
While acknowledging that today’s productions boast improved technical aspects—better cameras, editing, sound design, and visual effects—he insisted that the industry has lost its soul: the heartfelt, memorable storytelling that once defined it.
Odega’s comments arrive at a time when Nollywood continues its rapid growth, producing thousands of films annually for streaming platforms, cinemas, and direct-to-video markets both at home and in the diaspora.
The industry has achieved remarkable commercial success and international recognition, yet voices like his highlight persistent criticisms around rushed productions, formulaic plots, and a perceived overemphasis on quick profits.
As a comic actor who has navigated both the grassroots video era and the more polished contemporary scene—appearing in classics like Domitilla (1996) and later projects—Odega’s perspective carries weight among those who remember Nollywood’s humble, revolutionary beginnings.
His call for a return to quality-focused filmmaking echoes sentiments shared by other veterans, even as younger filmmakers and producers defend the evolution as a necessary adaptation to market demands and global competition.
Whether this critique ignites meaningful reform or simply adds to ongoing nostalgia debates, one thing is clear: Francis Odega, after 30+ years in the trenches, remains unafraid to speak plainly about the industry he helped build. For many fans of classic Nollywood, his words serve as both a lament and a reminder of what once made Nigerian cinema truly unforgettable.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Odega, a 30-year pioneer of the industry, believes the single most important factor behind the decline in movie quality is this: today’s Nollywood sacrifices strong, original storytelling for quantity—stretching one script into multiple weak parts instead of creating one unforgettable film like in the past.
