Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has ignited a fresh online debate with his claims about the Nigerian film industry, asserting that Yoruba filmmakers now dominate a space he believes was originally built by Igbos. In a candid interview, Duru acknowledged the historical contributions of Yoruba pioneers like Herbert Ogunde, whose performance arts date back to the 1950s, but argued that the commercial phenomenon known as Nollywood was born when Igbo traders introduced home video to the Nigerian market during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Why Duru Believes Igbos Lost Ground
According to Duru, the Yorubas did not stumble into dominance; they actively organised, rallied resources among themselves, and protected their own interests. He said: "The Yorubas epitomise the saying, 'Charity begins at home.' We need to learn from them. If you don't protect and project your own, who will do it?"
He pointed to streaming platforms as a telling indicator of how far things have shifted. "We [Igbos] created Nollywood, but if you go to Netflix today, you hardly see one movie that speaks of Igbo heritage. But the Yorubas, on the other hand, created opportunities for themselves and utilised them," he stated.
Duru placed much of the blame on what he described as an ingrained Igbo tendency towards self-centredness. "Igbos failed to learn because of their individualistic mentality. You think you are the big man, so you are self-centred. But you forget that a time will come when you need to be expansive," he said.
Concerns Over Cultural Storytelling
The actor also raised concerns about cultural storytelling, noting that Igbo narratives are increasingly being told by outsiders, sometimes inaccurately. "We have great writers who are now writing for the Yorubas. You even see the Yorubas crossing over to write Igbo stories like 'Ahamefuna' and making a mess of who we are," he said.
Rather than directing anger at Yoruba filmmakers, Duru framed his comments as a call to accountability. "Don't get angry with them. These are people who saw their own and protected their own. What happened to you? Igbos have many great men in Nigeria. When was the last time you saw the epic of one of these great men?" he asked.
Fresh Debate on Ethnic Identity and Representation
His remarks have sparked fresh debate about ethnic identity, collective action, and cultural representation within Africa's largest film industry. The interview, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter), has drawn reactions from fans and industry observers alike.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Duru returned to church a day after burying his late son. In a separate interview, the veteran actor said grief did not stop him from carrying out his responsibilities, and he opened up about dealing with trauma while remaining committed to his work and faith.
