Actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli has stated that Nollywood boasts a wealth of original stories that can compete with those from Hollywood.
In a video shared online, Oboli addressed frequent criticisms that Nigerian films are too predictable. She argued that a film’s strength lies not in surprise endings but in the quality of storytelling.
“A story can be predictable, but if it’s well told, people will still watch and enjoy it,” she said, highlighting the importance of narrative depth and character development.
Oboli emphasised that predictability is not unique to Nollywood, pointing out that even Hollywood blockbusters often follow familiar patterns. “In romantic comedies, the couple always ends up together. In superhero movies, the hero usually wins. What matters is how the story is told,” she explained.
She urged audiences to focus on the storytelling journey rather than the ending. “If the journey isn’t engaging, that’s when it feels predictable. But if the process is interesting, even a familiar outcome can feel fresh and captivating.”
According to Oboli, Nollywood is gaining global attention. She revealed that YouTube analytics show viewers from countries around the world are tuning in, not just Nigerians or Africans in the diaspora.
“Sometimes I check the data and I’m amazed to see where people are watching from. It’s not just our people abroad — it’s audiences from countries you wouldn’t even expect,” she said.
Oboli affirmed that originality has never been a problem for Nigerian storytellers.
