By Efe Onodjae

A senior lecturer at the University of Lagos, Professor Mojisola Bimbo-Manuel, has raised fresh concerns over the weakening professional culture in Nollywood, declaring that the industry cannot attain global competitiveness without clear entry requirements and enforceable standards.

Speaking at actress Wumi Toriola’s colloquium themed “Future of Nollywood: Challenges and Progress (The Genesis 1.0)”, the veteran academic lamented that the continued accommodation of mediocrity is depriving the industry of the investment, structure and international respect it desperately seeks.

“People will put good money into filmmaking, but the only way to access such investment is to produce good products,” she said. “There are so many people among you that should not move with you. Your industry is suffering because standards are not enforced.”

Using academia as a parallel, she queried the lack of structured criteria for joining the industry.
“Before you can become a professor in UNILAG, you must have a PhD. What is the benchmark for getting into Nollywood?” she asked, urging stakeholders to institute a framework that upholds quality, discipline and accountability.

Professor Bimbo-Manuel also challenged female actors to maintain dignity in their public conduct, stressing that professionalism, not provocative dressing, earns lasting respect. She added that the personal lives of entertainers often have ripple effects on their children and public image.

Drawing from her own experience, she said, “I’ve been married for 29 years and no one has ever settled a quarrel between my husband and me. The world expects you to be perfect, but you are not. Still, you don’t need the negative publicity you sometimes get.”

Financial expert, Akorede Idowu, who also spoke at the event, advised practitioners to prepare for career transition, save consistently and diversify their income streams. “Everything has its season… Younger faces will keep joining the industry. It is wise to plan ahead,” he noted.

Representing Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bukola Agbaminoja, reaffirmed government support, noting that international stars currently filming in Nigeria have commended the quality of local talent.

On her part, Wumi Toriola urged colleagues to embrace integrity, explaining that professionalism remains the backbone of a credible industry. “People judge me by how I shout in movies, but you will never hear that I got paid and failed to do my job,” she said.