 |
customer@davidpublishing.com |
 |
3275638434 |
 |
 |
| Paper Publishing WeChat |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Nollywood and African Women Empowerment: Representation, Narrative and Social Impact
Perpetua Ogechi Aondover
Full-Text PDF
XML 162 Views
DOI:10.17265/2160-6579/2026.01.004
Caleb University, Imota, Nigeria
Nollywood is a rapidly growing film industry in Nigeria, with its films being distributed globally through various platforms. These films have gained a significant following, not only in Africa but also in the diaspora. They have become an integral part of African popular culture, with their ability to capture the realities of everyday life in Africa. However, one aspect of Nollywood that has been overlooked is its potential to empower women in Africa. This paper aims to fill this gap by examining the impact of Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, on the empowerment of African women. Through the lens of representation and narrative analysis, the study explores how Nollywood films depict and shape the image of African women and their roles in the society. Through a social impact and content analysis of a selection of Nollywood films, this study investigates the influence of Nollywood on the empowerment of African women and the potential for social change, and uncovers the various ways in which women are portrayed, and the role of Nollywood in shaping societal attitudes towards women and how it can potentially contribute to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Furthermore, this paper delves into the narrative structure of Nollywood films and the use of storytelling techniques, such as plot development and character arcs, to challenge societal norms and empower women. Through a feminist lens, this paper critiques the patriarchal structures embedded in Nollywood narratives and highlights its potential for promoting gender equality. Finally, this paper explores how these films have sparked conversations and inspired real-life actions towards women’s empowerment. It also discusses the challenges and criticisms faced by Nollywood in its attempt to empower women. This paper argues that Nollywood has the potential to contribute to women’s empowerment in Africa by challenging traditional gender roles and promoting gender equality through its representation and narrative. By shedding light on this aspect of Nollywood, this paper aims to facilitate further research and discussions on the role of media in promoting women’s empowerment in Africa. The findings of this study reveal the powerful potential of Nollywood in challenging societal norms and empowering African women through its unique storytelling and widespread reach. This study underscores the importance of media representation and the need for diverse and empowering narratives in shaping gender dynamics and promoting women’s empowerment in African societies.
empowerment, narratives, Nollywood, representation, social impact and women
Adagbon, B., Alao, I. O., Afe, O. O., Jolaoso, S. O., Olayiwola, F. T., Tairu, G. B., & Ajibola, K. J. (2018). Representation of women in Nollywood films: A case study of Shuga and Jenifa’s Diary series. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 10(8), 86-92. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5897/JMCS2018.0612
Adetiba, K. (Director). (2016). The wedding party [Film]. EbonyLife Films.
Adeyemi, L. O., & Ekinez, K. M. (2019). Nollywood industry and the portrayal of the African woman. In F. N. Omenugha (Ed.), Gender and society: Issues in women’s empowerment and gender relations in Nigeria (pp. 449-485). Benin: Mindex Publishing Co. Ltd.
Afolabi, M. (2020). Cinematic representations of young women and changing gender roles in Nigerian cinema. In A. J. Adetunji and K. K. Olofinbiyi (Eds.), Nollywood and the politics of gender (pp. 89-104). Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Aondover, E. M., & Akin-Odukoya, O. (2024). Trends and dynamics of popular culture and media messages on public transport literature in Nigeria. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(3), 183-195.
Aondover, E. M., Aondover, P. O., Adewale, O. C., Falobi, F., & Maiwada, A. A. (2024). Contextual issues surrounding investigative journalism in Nigeria. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(4), 226-239.
Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media coverage of internally displaced persons in two selected newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 11, 100301.
Aondover, E. M., Okuneye, A. P., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Application of new media in peace building and conflict resolution in Nigeria. Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies, 6(1). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/jacaps/vol6/iss1/8
Aondover, E. M., Okuneye, A. P., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Application of new media in peace building and conflict resolution in Nigeria. Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies, 6(1), 8.
Aondover, E. M., Oyeleye, S. A., & Aondover, P. P. (2022). Analysis of iconographic effect of visual communication genre on COVID-19 in Nigeria. Journal of Gynaecology and Women’s Health, 23(3), 1-10.
Aondover, E. M., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Influence of digital images on the propagation of fake news on Twitter in Russia and Ukraine crisis. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 59-74.
Aondover, P. O., & Aondover, E. M. (2023). Nollywood offering and Nigeria people and culture: Reflections and projection. Unisia, 41(1), 117-142.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 1-8.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Adewale, O. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Maradun, L. U. (2024). Media portrayal of female celebrities in the Nigerian press. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(4), 259-272.
Chika, D. (2021). Patriarchy in Nollywood: Historical narratives and contemporary media. Journal of Gender Studies, 10(2), 175-191. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2020.1816029
Chimbuto, J. G. S. (2015). The representation of women in Nollywood films: An investigation of its impact on audiences in Malawi (Doctoral dissertation, University of Roehampton, 2015).
Chinedu-Okeke, C. F., Agbasimelo, C. I., Obi, I., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2021). Newspaper coverage of COVID-19 issues in Nigeria. Journal of Healthcare Communications (JHealth Commun), 6(5), 20.
Garba, S., & Aondover, E. M. (2023). Beyond the framing process: An X-ray of newspaper reportage of conflicts in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 41(2), 285-298.
Haskel, B. G. (1980). Access to society: a neglected dimension of power. International Organization, 34(1), 89-120.
Maiwada, A. A., Aondover, P. O., Adewale, O. C., Falobi, F., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2025). Public relations and media role in peace building in Nigeria. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 45-58.
Mast, G., & Cohen, M. (Eds.). (1979). Film theory and criticism: Introductory readings. New York: Oxford University Press.
Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial intelligence and the media: Revisiting digital dichotomy theory. In Information systems management (pp. ). London: IntechOpen.
Maiwada, A. A., Aondover, P. O., Adewale, O. C., Falobi, F., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2025). Public relations and media role in peace building in Nigeria. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 45-58.
Mast, G., & Cohen, M. (Eds.). (1979). Film theory and criticism: Introductory readings. New York: Oxford University Press.
Msughter, A. E., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Ogechi, A. P. (2022). Information seeking behavior on COVID-19 vaccine among residents of Fagge Local Government Area of Kano, Nigeria. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(9), 2526-2541.
Musa, B. A. (2019). Digital revolution and the empowerment of women in the African movie industry: Vistas from Nollywood and Riverwood. In Nollywood in glocal perspective (pp. 231-248). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.
Obasi, M. C., Aondover, E. M., Maiwada, A. A., Omolara, A. O., & Charles, A. O. (2025). Framing of Terrorism in Selected Nollywood Movies: Implications for Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. The Nigerian Journal of Communication, 21, 1-2.
Oboko, U., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Identity constructions, social correction and representational dynamics of reconstructing Igbo proverbs among digital natives: A sociopragmemic analysis. In A. Raji-Oyelade (Ed.), Postproverbials at work: The context of radical proverb-making in Nigerian languages (pp. 229-261). Online Supplement 4. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osije.
Okafor, E. (2019). Youth and empowerment through media: The influence of Nollywood films on young audiences. Journal of Youth Studies, 22(8), 1107-1122. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2019.1571559
Okunna, C. S. (1996). Portrayal of women in Nigerian home video films: Empowerment or subjugation? Africa Media Review, 10, 21-36.
Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Child rights advocacy efforts and Nigerian film industry: An analysis of select movies. International Journal of Global Sustainable Research (IJGSR), 2(4), 241-254.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Nwokeocha, I. M. (2024). Evaluation of child’s right portrayal in select Nollywood films. International Journal of Applied and Scientific Research (IJASR), 2(4), 433-448.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Oboko, U. (2024). Portrayal of girls in Nollywood film: A socio-cultural and semiotic perspectives. Gender, Nollywood & Africa, 31(4).
Onyejelem, T. E., Aondover, P. O., Maradun, L. U., Chime-Nganya, C. R., & Akin-Odukoya, O. O. (2024). Media and pictorial reportage of Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(4), 287-299.
Onyejelem, T. E., Ezeaka, N. B., & Nwafor, O. A. (2021). Perceptions of Anambra residents on representation of discrimination against foster children in Nollywood films. Madonna Journal of Communication Studies (MAJOCS), 3(1), 145-166.
Onyejelem, T. E., Ezeonyejiaku, N. P., Nwafor, O. A., & Nwodu, G. E. (2023). Portrayal of drug-related crimes among teenagers in Nollywood movies: A critical discourse analysis of Nimbe. IMSU Journal of Communication Studies, 7(2), 156-168.
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online harassment of female journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
Osakpolor, E. (2021). Portrayal of women in contemporary Nollywood films: Isoken and king of boys in focus. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 9(1), 118-145.
Peirce, C. S. (1958). Collected papers of Charles Sanders Peirce 1(6). Cambridge: Harvard University Press. (Original work published 1931)
Rapu, C. O. (Director). (1992). Living in bondage [Film]. NEK Videos.
Saint, E. J., Aondover, E. M., Ebele, U. C., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Influence of social media on newspaper patronage among lecturers in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. LingLit Journal Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature, 5(3), 142-157.
Shaka, F. O., & Uchendu, O. N. (2012). Gender representation in Nollywood video film culture. The Crab: Journal of Theatre and Media Arts, 7, 1-30.
Smelik, A. M. (2007). Feminist film theory. Retrieved from https://www.annekesmelik.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Feminist-Film-Theory-Wiley_Smelik.pdf
Thornham, S. (Ed.). (1999). Feminist film theory: A reader. New York: NYU Press.
Vitalis, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2024). Social construct of Nollywood films and ethnocentrism in Southern Nigeria. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 12(2), 152-179.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing digital divide and implications in Nigeria: The media dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Okuneye, A. P. (2023). Understanding advertising in the era of social media. Information System and Smart City, 3(1), 502-502.