Nkem Owoh Debunks Claim That Yoruba Started Nollywood

Veteran actor Nkem Owoh, widely known as Osuofia, has debunked claims that he credited the Yoruba ethnic group with starting Nollywood.

The actor addressed the viral controversy during a recent interview on the 'Curiosity Made Me Ask' show, hosted by content creator Bae U Barbie.

According to him, his previous comments were misunderstood.

Owoh stated that the term Nollywood did not exist when filmmaking began in the country, questioning exactly when the industry adopted the name.

The comic actor explained that while the Yoruba people pioneered the home video sector, they did not start Nollywood itself.

He firmly pointed out that Chief Hubert Ogunde, a foundational figure in the industry, was not Igbo, emphasizing that the Yoruba spearheaded the early home video movement, not Nollywood.

He said:
"I never said Yoruba started Nollywood. When did Nollywood come out? When we started film, there was no Nollywood as a name."

"Ogunde is not Igbo. I am telling you that Yoruba started it."

"Yoruba did not start Nollywood; they started home video and the rest."