Nollywood stars and veterans, through the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Nigeria, have sealed a multi-stakeholder partnership with The Center for Strategic Enterprise Development (CSED), “Moneyline with Nancy” on African Independent Television (AIT), Ben TV London, and CSED Business Institute (CBI).

This partnership aims to lift thousands of people across Nigeria’s 36 states out of extreme poverty through Nigeria’s film and media industries.

Nancy Nnaji, producer of “Moneyline with Nancy” on AIT and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of CSED, along with the Chief Executive Officer of CSED, Izu Divine Freeman, CSED co-founder Ikechukwu Okoli, AMP National President Dr. Blessing Ebigieson, and CSED Business Institute President Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele, disclosed this initiative to journalists in Abuja. They highlighted the entertainment industry’s potential, citing successes like Genevieve Nnaji’s “Lionheart” being acquired for $3.8 million in 2018, Funke Akindele’s “A Tribe Called Juda” grossing ₦1.5 billion in 2023, and Ruth Kadiri’s YouTube earnings surpassing ₦1 billion.

Mrs. Nancy Nnaji emphasized the initiative’s role in launching careers, stating that individuals from all 36 states will be selected. “Top Nollywood veterans, including Zeb Ejiro, Lilian Amah-Aluko, Paul Obazele, Ego Boyo, and Ruth Kadiri, will mentor these new talents, helping them become professionals and employers within six months,” she noted.

ID Freeman highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s media and film industry to create jobs and alleviate poverty. He noted that Nigeria leads African nations in the percentage of its population living below the extreme poverty line of $2.15 USD per day. “Nollywood presents a strategic opportunity to drive economic growth and reduce poverty. Even successful skit makers in Nigeria earn an average of $100,000 annually, with top creators like Michael Angel earning millions,” he emphasized. Freeman pointed out that each film production engages at least 10 crew members, and with 2,000 productions a year, this translates to 20,000 crew members supporting at least 100,000 dependents.

Dr. Blessing Ebigieson, National President of AMP Nigeria, described the NGNPP as a crucial gateway for young women and youth to enter the film and media business. “By learning from veterans, they will light the way for their generation using these platforms strategically,” she stated.

CSED co-founder Ikechukwu Okoli revealed that the partnership team has reached out to the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, chaired by the First Lady of Kwara State, Her Excellency Ambassador Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, to nominate and support eligible young women and men from their states. He also called on public officers, private sector actors, development partners, and well-meaning individuals to collaborate in lifting more Nigerians out of extreme poverty through this initiative.

Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele, President of CSED Business Institute, explained that the NGNPP, designed as a talent hunt initiative, will support new film and media producers with training, cash prizes, international certification from Canada and industry connections. This support will enable them to lift their communities out of poverty through job creation in the media and film sectors. He urged representatives and senators to engage their constituents in leveraging this opportunity, ensuring every constituency in Nigeria is impacted through existing structures.

CSED’s Senior Manager of Partnerships and Collaborations, Ms. Chioma Okorie, stated that the New Generation of Nollywood Producers Prize is the first phase of CSED’s strategy to mobilize local and international investment for the Nigerian film and media industries. This initiative serves as a tactical anchor in delivering the nonprofit’s mission of poverty reduction by supporting nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises across various industries to create sustainable jobs. This effort aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of “The Africa We Want.”