Many will agree that that the Nigerian movie industry portrays what is really happening in Nigeria. However, there are those that strongly believe that Nollywood paints Igbo men as rich and stubborn illiterates and they are not happy with it.
In fact, an X user (formerly known as Twitter), @General_Oluchi who describes herself as a media personality, expressed her concerns about this misconception while calling for changes to be made. She wrote:
“Igbos are well-educated, well-traveled, and accomplished, yet Nollywood paints the men as rich and stubborn illiterates. Any time you see a young rich Igbo business man in a movie, he sounds ignorant and uneducated with an accent that is supposed to be funny.
These things must change.”
It’s important to note that the X user singled out Alexx Ekubo as being guilty of this.
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Reasons Why Nollywood Paints Igbo Men as Rich and Stubborn Illiterates
1. Cultural Stereotypes: For character development, Nollywood clearly relies on cultural stereotypes. Hence, Igbo men are sometimes portrayed as affluent because they are in real life and have succeeded in their businesses. However, there’s this perceived stubbornness which may not be unrelated to their cultural pride and assertiveness.
Let us use the Nigerian movie “The Wedding Party”. If you recall, the character of Dozie, played by Banky W, is portrayed as a wealthy Igbo man. However, he exhibits stubbornness in his interactions with other people.
2. Economic Influence: There isn’t anyone in Nigeria who doesn’t know that Igbo men are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and economic prowess. Therefore, Nollywood naturally, would be inclined to portray this image in its characters. Hence, Igbo men being rich in the movies. This economic influence can also contribute to the perception of stubbornness, as success may lead to a sense of entitlement.
In the Nigerian movie “Lionheart,” the character of Chief Ernest Obiagu, played by Pete Edochie, embodies the image of a wealthy and assertive Igbo businessman.
3. Historical Context: There are those who insist that the historical experiences of the Igbo people, including the Nigerian Civil War and subsequent struggles for economic empowerment, influence their portrayal in Nollywood. Igbo men are looked at as resilient and determined, but also stubborn.
We all saw this being played out in the movie “Half of a Yellow Sun” which clearly depicts the resilience of Igbo characters during challenging times.
4. Media Representation: There’s no doubt that the media representation, including Nollywood films, reinforce existing stereotypes about Igbo men. The truth is that characters are often exaggerated for dramatic effect. These could lead to negative portrayals as seen in the movie “Aki na Ukwa”.
The character played by Osita Iheme, exhibits traits of stubbornness and comedic ignorance, contributing to the stereotype.
5. Audience Expectations: Clearly, the Nigerian movie industry caters to audience preferences and expectations. This could lead to Nollywood creating larger-than-life characters and storylines. Sometimes, this paints Igbo men as rich and stubborn illiterates while trying to sell their Nollywood movies.
So, there’s no doubt that the portrayal of Igbo men as rich and stubborn illiterates in Nollywood is influenced by a combination of cultural, economic, historical, and media factors.
Anyway, let’s look at how people generally reacted to the X user’s observations and concerns. In fact, they even gave examples of movies in which they made similar observations.
@yagadaboogieman: “Exactly the turn I had with the furniture guy scene in that tribe called Judah movie . I said Nah ! Can never be my Igbo brothers speaking ik such manner . The accent and drawl? Not even Nnewi and onitsha men speak with such drawl . I stopped at that scene cos ‘twas from telegram”.
@idwurd: “You’re right. The worst part is that the Igbo actors and directors that can deliver on such accurate depictions are all aiming for roles in the UK and American movies”.
@iagharanya: “I don’t even understand Nollywood. Their contents need to be reviewed. They are going off the mark in most of their movies.”
@iamadebad: “The kind of PR Nollywood is dishing out isn’t fair”.
@OjiUgo_nwa: “Very annoying, it upsets me every time.”
@segun_olomola: “They do all this considering the money they want to make. But they don’t consider the type of image such will portray to the global community. We supposed to have moved away from this since. Nollywood should stop painting a bad image about Africa in their movies.”
@thekingsleyy: “The subliminal messaging. The subliminal story Nigeria tells about the Igbos, even in its educational materials is appalling.”
@OladotunOlami: “I will always salute the igbos and the south easterners for their resilience. The design of this entity call Nigeria didn’t favour them but they show hardwork to always be successful wherever they find themselves. I commend their resilience. I love you all. May Nigeria succeed.”
@SIdjenuwa: “Truth be told, an average Ibo man is a very proud man to the extent that they treat their wives like servants married to give them kids.”
@ReuelNafisu: “No I do not agree, the reality is what they act, go to anywhere in the world, normal igbo trader or business mogul don’t go true the academia hence the Igbo accent which I find beautiful, most of the Nwa boy that came from apprenticeship went to just sec sch within the igbos”.
@anolysis81: “Nollywood made me to be seen as a ritualist by other African countries. They so much believe those ritual stuff and see it as our way of life.”
@uogbatue: “I think their projections in the movie is that of the igbo man in the 70’s and 80’s not the igbo business men of the 90’s and millennium.
We have evolve and they ought to evolve in their movies too, it should be a reflection of the times we are in”.
@kesmary: “What annoys me most is, how they costume for the Ezes, their queens, the princes and princesses.
I wonder if they ever researched about our history themselves or, they went to read up one written by the West or it’s just their wild imagination of what our tradition rulers wore.”
@BrizDeWiz: ‘FINALLY someone has said this OUT LOUD. It’s so irritating. Even the ones that are yet to be accomplished don’t speak with such ascent.
I’ve NEVER seen a movie where a Yorùbá wealthy man is calling “ear” hear and “hear” ear or calling “eye” high.’
@MichaelKingSnr: “NollyWood do not understand the power they have at impacting change; they fail to understand their effect at promotion of goodness.
But sometimes I wonder if they promoted let’s say; Nigerian Police Force in a good light if they’ll be a tool for deception.
Be Balanced Nollywood”.
@okoo_ekuma: “I don’t think this is true.. I’ve seen Nollywood movies depicting very intelligent, well-educated, successful igbo people.Zack orji for one,and so many others..”
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