Nigerian actress and filmmaker Genevieve Nnaji has expressed her frustration with the way Hollywood portrays Nigerian characters, particularly criticising the use of inauthentic accents by non-Nigerian actors.
Speaking candidly, Nnaji noted that she often cringes whenever she watches international films that reference Nigeria, Lagos, or common Nigerian names such as Ayo and Chichi.
According to her, the issue is not the inclusion of Nigerian culture in global cinema, but the inaccurate and sometimes exaggerated accents used by actors who lack a genuine connection to the country.
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Nnaji argued that authenticity should be prioritised in casting, stressing that Nigerian roles should ideally be played by Nigerians who naturally understand the language, tone, and cultural nuances.
“I’ve watched a lot of Hollywood movies where there’s a mention of Nigeria, Lagos, Ayo, or Chichi. I always cringe when I hear the accent actors use
“While playing Nigerian roles when they aren’t Nigerians. You can’t get an Asian man or just anybody to sound Nigerian. Just get a Nigerian“, she said.