IWD: AGN Demands Greater Opportunities for Women in Nollywood

Empowerment and Opportunities for Women in the Nigerian Film Industry

Abubakar Yakubu, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has emphasized the importance of empowerment opportunities and initiatives aimed at supporting women within the Nigerian film industry. His call came during an event organized by the guild to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) in Abuja.

The theme for this year’s IWD, celebrated on March 8, is “Give To Gain.” This theme focuses on investing in women through resources, education, and mentorship to create a stronger and more equitable society. Yakubu highlighted that the AGN prioritizes the contributions of women, who have made profound and trailblazing impacts on the Nigerian motion picture industry.

He noted that women are naturally endowed with compassion, resilience, creativity, and the rare ability to nurture dreams into reality. As the leader of the AGN, he called for initiatives that support women in the industry to enable them to strive and contribute more to the nation’s creative sector.

“Women remain pillars within our guild and ambassadors of excellence who continue to bring glory to our profession; their achievements remind us that when women are empowered, industries flourish and societies progress. However, as we celebrate, we must also remember our collective responsibility to support and uplift them, especially those among us who may be facing challenges. I therefore humbly appeal to our distinguished guests, partners, and well-wishers to support the initiatives of the AGN aimed at empowering our indigent members and strengthening the welfare of our creative community.”

Yakubu also encouraged a reaffirmation of commitment to equality, dignity, and opportunity for women everywhere. He urged the creation of spaces where their voices are heard, their talents celebrated, and their dreams supported.

In her opening remarks, Oby Okafor, the AGN National Women Leader, highlighted the key roles women have played as Nollywood evolves into one of the largest film industries in the world. According to her, empowering women in filmmaking is not only a matter of fairness but also a strategic investment in the future of the industry and the nation.

“Women have played significant roles in shaping our industry. From acting, directing, producing, scriptwriting, costume design, makeup artistry, cinematography, and film editing, women have continued to demonstrate excellence and professionalism. Yet, despite these contributions, many talented women still face challenges in accessing opportunities, funding, training, and leadership positions within the industry.”

Okafor emphasized the need for gender-inclusive development for the film industry through capacity building and professional training for women who desire to become filmmakers, producers, directors, and technical professionals within the industry.

She also called for initiatives that focus on creating greater opportunities for women in Nollywood by providing structured support systems that will help them grow professionally and economically. Her vision aligns with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “Give to Gain,” which highlights the importance of actively investing in the future of women within the creative industry.

Through these efforts, the AGN aims to not only celebrate women but also ensure that they have the tools and resources necessary to thrive in the competitive world of filmmaking. By fostering an environment that values diversity and inclusion, the organization hopes to pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all women in the Nigerian film industry.