Award-winning Nollywood actress and producer Adesua Etomi-Wellington has made a strong case for deeper collaboration and increased institutional investment as essential drivers for the global expansion of Nigeria’s film industry.
Speaking in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the 40-year-old actress spoke on the growing importance of partnerships between Nollywood and international film industries, particularly Hollywood, as a pathway to scaling African storytelling and meeting rising global demand.
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“I am a huge fan of collaboration. I don’t think that any man is an island. I’m really excited about the collaborations between Hollywood and Nollywood. I’m excited about collaborations between international and local filming bodies.
“I think that that is the direction in which the future is going. And I think everybody needs to jump on this train and be more involved in collaborations,” the 2014 ‘Knocking on heaven’s door’ actress stated.
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Her remarks reflect a sidershift within Nollywood, which is increasingly transitioning from a volume-driven industry to one prioritising quality, global competitiveness, and strategic alliances.
Over the past few years, Nigerian films have gained unprecedented international visibility, aided by streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, which have become key distribution channels for African content.
This evolution has also been driven by a “global thirst” for authentic African stories, narratives that reflect the continent’s culture, identity, and lived experiences.
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Nollywood’s ability to tell these stories in a distinctly African voice has positioned it as a major contributor to Nigeria’s cultural influence, much as the global rise of Afrobeats has.
Despite these gains, it is emphasised that sustainable growth will require deliberate investment, particularly from government, in critical areas such as animation, production infrastructure, and talent development.
“I think it’s really important that our government invests more in the filming sector, invests more in animation, invests more in Nollywood in general, because our industry has been built on the backs of so many people for so many years,” the ‘Sugar Rush’ actress said.
Structured support
Drawing comparisons with more established film industries, she pointed to the structured support systems available in other countries, noting that similar backing in Nigeria would significantly enhance the industry’s capacity to compete globally.
“If you look at how it works in other countries, you see that there’s support there. So, a lot more support would be great for the industry… when we have more support, we’re able to do more, we’re able to bring more to the table when international bodies come aboard as well, wanting to work with us,” she added.
The mother of two also cautioned that collaboration must be approached thoughtfully to ensure it remains mutually beneficial and preserves the integrity of African storytelling.
“I also think that it is important to collaborate healthily… and make more room for these sorts of collaborations to happen,” she said.
Challenges. persist due to funding constraints, infrastructure gaps, and market uncertainties from global streaming platforms.
Animation project
Etomi-Wellington is currently involved in the animated sci-fi project ‘Secrets of the Multiverse,’ where she serves as both lead cast member and executive producer.
The project, which brings together Nigerian and international creatives, is expected to set a benchmark for African-themed animation on the global stage.
According to her, such productions can serve as practical examples of what is achievable when collaboration is executed effectively.
The Imo-born referenced earlier successes in the animation space, including ‘Iyanu’ (2025), as evidence of the growing potential within the sector.
“I think that it is important that Secrets of the Multiverse is doing this, because I suppose it would be some kind of example of what is possible… and I want to see more of these sort of collaborations happening, where we can bring our culture and our ideologies and our accents and our stories, raw and authentic, to a global audience,” she said.
Motherhood
Beyond her professional insights, Adesua also reflected on her personal life, speaking about motherhood during Women’s Month and describing it as one of her most fulfilling experiences.
READ ALSO: ‘How to become a top Nollywood filmmaker in two years’ – Niyi Akinmolayan
“What excites me most about motherhood? I would have to say the entire journey. I love raising my children. I love spending time with them. I love that God has blessed me with these two amazing boys,” she said.
“I love that every time I wake up, I hear ‘Mama’. These are the things that really brighten my day… I love being able to teach them, and I love that God has placed me in a position to be a caretaker of these really precious gifts.”
Married to singer and politician Banky W, the actress expressed gratitude for the opportunity to nurture her family, adding, “I’m just grateful to get the opportunity to do it, and by God’s grace, I will do it well.”
Adesua, the best actress in 2016, has won several awards, including the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for her role in Falling. Her notable films include The Wedding Party series, King of Boys, Sugar Rush, and Gangs of Lagos.
Known musically as Susu, she released her debut single So Natural in 2022. She also co-founded the beauty brand Sanaa Beauty with actress Jemima Osunde in 2023.
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