Old Nollywood Was Better Than Today’s Movies — Actor Francis Odega Speaks on Declining Film Quality

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Odega has stirred conversation within the Nigerian film industry after expressing concerns about the decline in storytelling quality in modern Nollywood. According to the actor, films produced in earlier years were more impactful, with stronger narratives and clearer creative direction compared to what is commonly seen today.

Odega explained that in the past, a single well-written script was enough to produce one complete and memorable movie. He noted that filmmakers took their time to develop characters, plots, and emotional depth, ensuring that audiences left with something meaningful. He believes that this dedication to storytelling helped Nollywood gain respect and loyalty from viewers across Africa and beyond.

However, the actor lamented that the current trend focuses more on stretching one storyline into multiple parts, sometimes up to seven movies from one script. He argued that this approach weakens the story and often prioritizes profit over quality, urging filmmakers to return to creativity, discipline, and originality.

Francis Odega Criticizes Modern Nollywood for Overstretching Movie Scripts

Nollywood actor Francis Odega has voiced his disappointment with the way movies are now produced in the Nigerian film industry. Speaking candidly, the veteran actor said that Nollywood in its earlier days placed greater value on strong scripts and complete storytelling rather than turning one idea into several fragmented films.

He recalled that during the early years of the industry, filmmakers focused on telling one powerful story per movie. According to him, that approach allowed actors to fully develop their roles and helped audiences connect deeply with the message of each film. Odega believes this era played a major role in building Nollywood’s reputation locally and internationally.

In contrast, he criticized the modern practice of dividing a single script into many sequels, describing it as unnecessary and harmful to the industry’s growth. Odega warned that if filmmakers continue down this path, Nollywood risks losing its creative identity and the trust of viewers who crave originality and substance.

One Script, Seven Movies Is Not Right” — Francis Odega Speaks on Nollywood’s Decline

Veteran actor Francis Odega has openly shared his concerns about what he sees as a steady decline in the quality of Nollywood films. Comparing past and present productions, he said earlier Nollywood movies were more focused, creative, and emotionally engaging than many of today’s releases.

Odega pointed out that filmmakers previously invested heavily in writing and production, ensuring that a single script delivered a complete story. He explained that this method helped maintain high standards and allowed movies to stand the test of time, making them memorable long after release.

The actor criticized the growing trend of turning one script into multiple movies, sometimes stretching a story beyond its natural end. He stressed that while making money is important, it should not come at the expense of storytelling. Odega called on filmmakers to prioritize quality over quantity in order to preserve Nollywood’s legacy and future relevance.