Renowned Nollywood actress Aisha Lawal has passionately defended the Yoruba actors and filmmakers in the Nigerian film industry, asserting that they are the pioneers and rightful owners of Nollywood due to their instrumental role in its establishment.
In an interview with Tribune, Aisha Lawal responded to critics who perceive the Yoruba segment of Nollywood as merely playing catch-up. She dismissed such notions by passionately highlighting the historical significance of Yoruba actors and filmmakers in shaping the industry’s trajectory.
Aisha Lawal confidently stated, “We own the industry. Go back to research. The industry belongs to the Yoruba people. If you go back to research, you will hear from people like Hubert Ogunde and Ade Love.” She further emphasized the need to delve into the history of Nigerian cinema to truly comprehend the pivotal contributions of Yoruba cinema pioneers.
Citing iconic figures such as Hubert Ogunde and Ade Love, Aisha Lawal underscored the Yoruba community’s foundational role in kickstarting the Nigerian film industry. While acknowledging that there might have been challenges and setbacks along the way, she vehemently refuted the notion that the Yoruba segment of Nollywood is lagging behind, asserting, “We are there already.“
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