Actress, Halima Abubakar: “Igbo People Are Killing Nollywood With Tribalism”

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One actress who really struggled for several years in Nollywood before she eventually got her big break was Halima Abubakar. She saw the challenges, faced them and eventually conquered them.
She came out to say how up and coming actresses who are gifted but are not being allowed to prove themselves in the industry due to the high level tribalism of the Igbos who control the industry and are now making themselves lords over others.
Read her statements below:
“I have experienced tribalism, I know people would say it is a lie, but that is the truth. Why have those from a particular group not reached out to people who are not specifically from their areas?
“I have worked with a lot of Igbos, my marketer is Igbo, I have worked with a lot of them and I know those I have not worked with, I have not seen the right roles for me yet, but I believe they will come.“But how about others, who are independently shooting movies, does that mean those are the only set of actors in Nollywood? I am not saying they should give me roles, but there are people who want to see fresh faces. We need to give others opportunity to showcase their talents.

“I am saying, stop tribalism and bring everyone under the umbrella of AGN,” Halima insisted.

26 COMMENTS

  1. Thank god nolywood is private sector driven if not d northerners could hav infiltrated into it wit nigerian mentality of quota system there by kiling d industry like our n.e.p.a, n.n.p.c, police etc hav long died on d alter of sharing formular. Parasites

    • you can’t cause whom God has bless we are Israelite take it or you live it any one who cause the IGBOS is under a cause YOROBA people are always looking for opportunity to criticize the IGBOS let all Nigerians note that the IGBOS are blessed from heaven not by man but by God my dear de best students in YOROBA land in one of the best university in Nigeria that is UNI-LAG is from IGBO land every year when they bring out records for FIRST CLASS STUDENTS go and check their records so how can you beat this people you talk of beauty we are number one is it by wisdom we are number one is it by working hard we work hard and always come out with a good result what about YOROBA people dat does tribalism inside the church of God you all knows what am talking about HOUSA people hijack our GOVERNMENT,POLICE FORCE,CUSTOM,NAVY,IMMIGRATION, with their nonsense low qualification we have not for one day complained can HOUSA AND YOROBA PEOPLE DEFEND ALL THE POSITION THAT THEY HAVE TOOK

      • HAUSA’S DON’T HAVE BRAINS…how many igbos have ruled nigeria yet we don’t complain…NOW that its our turn to rule…they want to die…”boko haram” are been empowered by the hausa top men..you se why our country can never be better so long as the Hausa’s REMAIN IN PLANET EARTH

  2. I think am on thesame page Halima,the last time i checked i was mean,t to believe that nollywood is jst like the boollywood & hollywood film industry,as it knw most of the Nigerian films are ninety % igbo cultural oriented & i don,t think it shuld b this way,lets not b sentimental abt this bkos the igbos are known to too selfish,egocentric & highly corrupt ,it is due to dis qualties that Nigerian hv refused allow d igbos,b president of Nigerians since biafara

  3. Halima may be right, Nollywood should correct that mistake so that oppurtunity can be giving to all, but for those Ibo haters she did not write this for you, we all know the tribe that put Nollywood where it is today. The Ibos can bring wealth with their heads and hand to the nation, what can other tribe do, i guess to sell the nation to foreigners. Leave the Ibos alone they have done you no harm,but fighting for themselve.

  4. @ Halima babe, so u only noticed Igbos domination of AGN, what about other tribes that even go as far using their native languages in all their movies and in d same AGN, i mean Yorubas, Hausa, … The fact that our own Igbo brethren in Nollywood decided to b doing their own tin(interpreting their scripts) in English, which i strongly believe is for a wider marketing reach/spread, even across the shores of Africa, should not b ur headache. Free them ok.. Use ur own initiative/ creative sense and may be u could set up ur own local lang movie production group still under AGN… Igbos did theirs using English lang n they are selling well ;)

  5. Why all dis hates? Dont we have yoruba and hausa movies in nigeria, and are d igbos complaining? D igbos should be allowed bcos they are doing their things in english for a bigger and better marketand d igbo culture is more marketable and their girls, splendid. So pls leave us alone with our life. One more thing, since d igbos are handling nollywood and it is very vibrant, why not allow us handle nigeria and see how it will change for good, just as d current ministers of aviation, power and finance are doing very well now.

  6. Why all dis hates? Dont we have yoruba and hausa movies in nigeria, and are d igbos complaining? D igbos should be allowed bcos they are doing their things in english for a bigger and better marketand d igbo culture is more marketable and their girls, splendid and dats why everybody wants to marry an igbo girl. So pls leave us alone with our life. One more thing, since d igbos are handling nollywood and it is very vibrant, why not allow us handle nigeria and see how it will change for good, just as d current ministers of aviation, power and finance are doing very well now.

  7. I dont wish to comment on Tribalistic issues such as this, but your numerous Naive sentimental and unfounded argument has trigger my commenting on the issue above.
    Lets take for instance, movie production goes with a story line which is either based by a certain culture or believe,The choice of actors or actresses to be employed are equally based on the ability of the actor or actress versatility on delivering roles,while it takes some very long time to deliver a scene,it take some just one or two trial. you really need to visit the film production locations to find out what i mean.
    Some people you see and admire on the screen like Halima,you will lose that respect if you should see her during production,it take her 30-40mins to deliver a scene,yet they still MANAGE to give her role.
    Film production is a capital intensive venture and so the investors will like to use the best and intelligent actors/actresses to save time and cost.Another thing is that there are people whose FACE sales movies,for instance,if you see Genevieve,Mercy Johnson,Omotola Jalade,Nkem Owoh,Patience ozokwo etc on the movies poster,am sure you would like to watch the movies than when you see Halima and co.
    That is what the business is all about.
    When you see Halima in a movie she is either a prostitute,Nudity,Runs girl,Aristo etc.That is the part she acts well because she in Naturally inclined to that.she needs little or no rehearsal AT ALL.
    how many Hausa Men Produce Movies? even few that does that always feature the Ibo actor or Actress as a lead actor otherwise the movie will not sale.
    You have seen some Ibos also in Yoruba Films,thats because they can speak Yoruba fluently,HOW many Yoruba Men or Women can speak Ibo?
    So you guys should be constructive in responding to some issues on the net.

  8. One thing about Hausa’s is that they are academically retarded yet they want to belong where they cant defend.it’s not everybody that will be doctors or lawyers.you place your bag where your hand can reach.how can someone who cant defend english go into acting and expects success?

    Halima,please,go to school and learn how to speak english before talking about being an actress.Nollywood doesnt act movies that sell only in Nigeria and as such,english is imperative.

    There’s no need uttering that nonsense cos it’s a typical lie.even Ghanians who speak and understand english perfectly are found in the industry so why lament when you know you dont have what it takes to act especially movies that are not just for home sale?
    Like i said earlier,go and learn english,it’s not all about countenance.the likes of Ini-Edo,Kate Henshaw,Omotala,etc are not Igbos,yet they are there,excelling,simply because they have what it takes to act.

    Each time i see coment(s) in facebook,the HAUSA’S tend to present the worst comment(s) with excessive grammatical errors.even their spelling is f9.i hardly understand the message they convey in those comments.how can such person act?

    It’s simple.tell your people to go to school first before trying to attach themselves to position(s) they cant defend.stop blaming others for your failure.

  9. Hahaha, I’m so impressed by comments who defends nd vomited d truth behind nollywood industries… I see no tribalism in it…nollywood select people who knows their roles… So let’s us not think of tribalism in movie industry… If by anymeans it happens to b ibos full d industry is doesn’t mean is by tribalism but capable hands nd ability… Before acting u must have go through test, that determine how zealous u are on part. Can u be able to handle ur role with a good sound english without too much correction(errs)… A post like this I don’t like involving myself more xpecially when igbos mention… Thanks to u all…